Horticulture Commission public meetings in 2024
3 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Horticulture Commission
The Louisiana Horticulture Commission will hold an adjudicatory hearing for one contested case and consider two stipulated cases involving alleged violations. The board will also set three future hearing dates for 2025 and discuss a new testing platform and proposed rule changes.
- Contested case: Case 24-017; Juan Sierra
- Stipulated cases: Case 24-011; Victor Amaya and Case 24-016; Victor Palacios
- Set next hearing dates: February 27, July 17, and November 20, 2025
- Discussion of new examinations testing platform
- Discussion of proposed rules on petitions for declaratory judgments and requests for rule changes
The Commission approved the implementation of a third-party proctored online examination platform. It also found three tree service operators in violation of licensing laws, resulting in $1,500 fines for each. The 2025 meeting dates were established.
- Approved new online proctored examination platform (unanimous)
- Found Juan Sierra (Katy Tree Service) in violation and approved $1,500 fine (unanimous)
- Accepted stipulation and $1,500 penalty for Victor Amaya (Victor’s Tree Service/Two Brothers Tree Service) (unanimous)
- Accepted stipulation and $1,500 penalty for Victor Palacios (Palacios Tree Service) (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from July 18, 2024 meeting (unanimous)
- Set 2025 meeting dates for February 19, July 17, and November 20
Horticulture Commission
The Horticulture Commission of Louisiana will meet to consider a reinstatement request for an arborist, hold adjudicatory hearings on contested and stipulated cases, discuss proposed regulation changes, and approve rules. The meeting includes public comment periods.
- Reinstatement request for Douglas Bienvenu (Arborist)
- Adjudicatory hearing: Contested Case 23-008 (Raphael Brown)
- Adjudicatory hearing: Stipulated Case 24-003 (Jonathan Futrell)
- Proposed Horticulture Regulation Changes
- Approval of Rules (ADA)
The Commission approved the reinstatement of one arborist license pending a course completion. It also found one individual in violation of licensing laws and accepted a stipulation for another, resulting in total fines of $2,500.
- Approved reinstatement of Douglas Bienvenu’s arborist license pending CEU course completion (unanimous)
- Found Raphael Brown in violation of La. R. S. 3:3804(C) for unlicensed advertising (unanimous)
- Approved $1,000 fine for Raphael Brown (unanimous)
- Accepted stipulation and $1,500 penalty for Jonathan Roy Futrell (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from February 29, 2024 meeting (unanimous)
Horticulture Commission
The Horticulture Commission of Louisiana will meet to review reinstatement requests and conduct adjudicatory hearings for contested and stipulated cases. The commission will also discuss proposed changes to regulations in Title 7, Part XXIX.
- Proposed regulation changes to Title 7, Part XXIX
- Reinstatement requests for Tejuana D. McGowin and Matthew W. Faust
- Contested cases 24-005 (Thomas Hoeflinger) and 24-006 (Lonnie Paul)
- Stipulated cases 24-004 (Daniel Garcia) and 24-007 (Samuel Armenio)
The Commission approved the reinstatement of two professional licenses and accepted several stipulations for fines regarding unlicensed activity. Members also accepted proposed changes to Title 3 of the Horticulture Regulations.
- Approved retail florist license reinstatement for Tejuana D. McGowin (unanimous)
- Approved landscape architect and landscape horticulturist license reinstatement for Matthew W. Faust (unanimous)
- Fined Lonnie Paul (Top Notch Tree Service) $1,000 for unlicensed arborist activity (unanimous)
- Accepted $2,500 penalty stipulation for Daniel Garcia (Garcia Tree Services) (unanimous)
- Accepted $2,500 penalty stipulation for Thomas Hoeflinger (Quality Outdoor Landscape and Lawncare) (unanimous)
- Accepted $1,000 penalty stipulation for Samuel Armenio (Armenio Enterprises Tree & Stump Removal) (unanimous)
- Accepted changes to Title 3 of the Horticulture Regulations for adoption
- Approved minutes from October 4, 2023, hearing (unanimous)