A. The commission is authorized to implement a program in urban forestry to encourage better tree management and planting in urban areas, to assist the cities in seeking innovative solutions to problems such as tree maintenance and vandalism, and to encourage demonstration projects to maximize the benefits of urban forests.
The commission shall assume the primary responsibility in carrying out the intent of this Part in cooperation with other appropriate local, state and federal agencies such as the Cooperative Extension, the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, the Department of Transportation and Development and the United States Forest Service.
B. The commission shall be the agent of the state and shall have full power to cooperate with those agencies of the federal government which have powers and duties concerning urban forestry, and shall perform all things necessary to secure for this state the benefits of federal urban forestry programs.
C. The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to establish standards for the implementation of the urban forestry program, which rules and regulations shall be submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development for approval before final promulgation.