The Florida Senate

The John A. Mulrennan, Sr., Arthropod Research Laboratory located in Panama City shall be a research laboratory under the administration of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The laboratory shall perform basic and applied research to develop and test formulations, application techniques, and procedures of pesticides and biological control agents for the control of arthropods and, in particular, biting arthropods of public health or nuisance importance. Special attention shall be given to the needs of arthropod control districts, counties, and municipalities of the state by providing information, assistance, and recommendations for the safe and effective control of arthropods which create a health or nuisance problem. The laboratory shall also conduct environmental impact studies to determine the effects of arthropod control pesticides, with a special emphasis on integrated arthropod control. Each quarter, the laboratory shall provide the department with such information as the department requires to assist it in the performance of its duties with respect to arthropod control under this chapter. The laboratory shall also serve as a center for the training of students and state and local government personnel in the safe and effective control of biting arthropods that create a public health or nuisance problem.

Any funds which may become available from the Federal Government, from any district or county, from funds appropriated to local arthropod control agencies by the state, or from any other sources may be used according to law in constructing, equipping, and operating the laboratory.