| 1 | The Committee on Commerce recommends the following: |
| 2 |
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| 3 | Committee Substitute |
| 4 | Remove the entire bill and insert: |
| 5 | A bill to be entitled |
| 6 | An act relating to worker safety with respect to |
| 7 | agricultural pesticides; creating s. 487.2011, F.S.; |
| 8 | providing a part title; creating s. 487.2021, F.S.; |
| 9 | declaring legislative intent; creating s. 487.2031, F.S.; |
| 10 | defining terms; creating s. 487.2041, F.S.; providing for |
| 11 | enforcement of federal worker protection regulations; |
| 12 | creating s. 487.2051, F.S.; requiring agricultural |
| 13 | employers to make agricultural pesticide information |
| 14 | available to workers, service providers, medical |
| 15 | personnel, and certain organizations; creating s. |
| 16 | 487.2061, F.S.; prohibiting agricultural employers from |
| 17 | failing to provide required information and from taking |
| 18 | retaliatory action against workers for exercising their |
| 19 | rights; creating s. 487.2071, F.S.; providing penalties; |
| 20 | providing for relief against retaliation; providing for |
| 21 | monitoring complaints of retaliation; providing for a |
| 22 | report; amending ss. 487.011, 487.012, 487.021, 487.025, |
| 23 | 487.031, 487.041, 487.0435, 487.045, 487.046, 487.047, |
| 24 | 487.049, 487.051, 487.0615, 487.071, 487.081, 487.091, |
| 25 | 487.101, 487.111, 487.13, 487.156, 487.159, 487.161, |
| 26 | 487.163, 487.171, and 487.175, F.S.; changing the term |
| 27 | "chapter" to "part" to conform to the act; amending ss. |
| 28 | 403.088, 482.242, 500.03, and 570.44, F.S.; conforming |
| 29 | references; providing a directive to the Division of |
| 30 | Statutory Revision; providing an effective date. |
| 31 |
|
| 32 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 33 |
|
| 34 | Section 1. Section 487.2011, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 35 | to read: |
| 36 | 487.2011 Part title.--This part may be cited as the |
| 37 | "Florida Agricultural Worker Safety Act" and shall be |
| 38 | administered by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer |
| 39 | Services. |
| 40 | Section 2. Section 487.2021, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 41 | to read: |
| 42 | 487.2021 Legislative intent.--It is the intent of the |
| 43 | Legislature, by this part, to ensure that agricultural workers |
| 44 | employed in the state receive protection from agricultural |
| 45 | pesticides. The Legislature intends to ensure that agricultural |
| 46 | workers be given information concerning agricultural pesticides. |
| 47 | Section 3. Section 487.2031, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 48 | to read: |
| 49 | 487.2031 Definitions.--For purposes of this part, the |
| 50 | term: |
| 51 | (1) "Agricultural employer" means any person who hires or |
| 52 | contracts for the services of workers, for any type of |
| 53 | compensation, to perform activities related to the production of |
| 54 | agricultural plants, or any person who is an owner of or is |
| 55 | responsible for the management or condition of an agricultural |
| 56 | establishment that uses such workers. |
| 57 | (2) "Agricultural establishment" means any farm, forest, |
| 58 | nursery, or greenhouse. |
| 59 | (3) "Agricultural plant" means any plant grown or |
| 60 | maintained for commercial or research purposes and includes, but |
| 61 | is not limited to, food, feed, and fiber plants, trees, |
| 62 | turfgrass, flowers, shrubs, ornamentals, and seedlings. |
| 63 | (4) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and |
| 64 | Consumer Services or its authorized representative. |
| 65 | (5) "Fact sheet" means any state or federally approved |
| 66 | fact sheet. |
| 67 | (6) "Material safety data sheet" means written or printed |
| 68 | material concerning an agricultural pesticide which sets forth |
| 69 | the following information: |
| 70 | (a) The chemical name and the common name of the |
| 71 | agricultural pesticide. |
| 72 | (b) The hazards or other risks in the use of the |
| 73 | agricultural pesticide, including: |
| 74 | 1. The potential for fire, explosions, corrosivity, and |
| 75 | reactivity. |
| 76 | 2. The known acute health effects and chronic health |
| 77 | effects of risks from exposure to the agricultural pesticide, |
| 78 | including those medical conditions which are generally |
| 79 | recognized as being aggravated by exposure to the agricultural |
| 80 | pesticide. |
| 81 | 3. The primary routes of entry and symptoms of |
| 82 | overexposure. |
| 83 | (c) The proper precautions, handling practices, necessary |
| 84 | personal protective equipment, and other safety precautions in |
| 85 | the use of or exposure to the agricultural pesticide, including |
| 86 | appropriate emergency treatment in case of overexposure. |
| 87 | (d) The emergency procedures for spills, fire, disposal, |
| 88 | and first aid. |
| 89 | (e) A description of the known specific potential health |
| 90 | risks posed by the agricultural pesticide, which description is |
| 91 | written in lay terms and is intended to alert any person who |
| 92 | reads the information. |
| 93 | (f) The year and the month, if available, that the |
| 94 | information was compiled and the name, address, and emergency |
| 95 | telephone number of the manufacturer responsible for preparing |
| 96 | the information. |
| 97 | (7) "Retaliation" means actions, such as dismissal, |
| 98 | demotion, harassment, blacklisting with other employers, |
| 99 | reducing pay or work hours, or taking away company housing, by |
| 100 | any agricultural employer against any worker who exercises any |
| 101 | right under the United States Environmental Protection Agency |
| 102 | Worker Protection Standard, 40 C.F.R. s. 170.7(b) (August 21, |
| 103 | 1992), or this part. |
| 104 | (8) "Trainer" means any person who qualifies to train |
| 105 | workers under the pesticide safety training requirements of the |
| 106 | United States Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection |
| 107 | Standard, 40 C.F.R. s. 170.130 (August 21, 1992). |
| 108 | (9) "Worker" means any person, including a farmworker or a |
| 109 | self-employed person, who is employed for any type of |
| 110 | compensation and who is performing activities relating to the |
| 111 | production of agricultural plants on an agricultural |
| 112 | establishment. The term "worker" does not include any person |
| 113 | employed by a commercial pesticide handling establishment to |
| 114 | perform tasks as a crop advisor. |
| 115 | Section 4. Section 487.2041, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 116 | to read: |
| 117 | 487.2041 Enforcement of federal worker protection |
| 118 | regulations.--The department shall adopt by rule the regulations |
| 119 | established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency |
| 120 | Labeling Requirement for Pesticides and Devices, 40 C.F.R. part |
| 121 | 156, and the Worker Protection Standard, 40 C.F.R. part 170, |
| 122 | adopted August 21, 1992. If the provisions of this part are |
| 123 | preempted in part by federal law, those provisions not preempted |
| 124 | shall apply. |
| 125 | Section 5. Section 487.2051, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 126 | to read: |
| 127 | 487.2051 Availability of agricultural pesticide |
| 128 | information.-- |
| 129 | (1)(a) The agricultural employer shall make available |
| 130 | agricultural pesticide information concerning any agricultural |
| 131 | pesticide to any worker who enters an agricultural pesticide |
| 132 | treated area on an agricultural establishment where, within the |
| 133 | last 30 days, an agricultural pesticide has been applied or a |
| 134 | restricted-entry interval has been in effect or to any worker |
| 135 | who may be exposed to the agricultural pesticide during normal |
| 136 | conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency. |
| 137 | (b) The agricultural pesticide information shall be in the |
| 138 | form of a material safety data sheet or a state or federally |
| 139 | approved fact sheet. The agricultural employer shall provide a |
| 140 | written copy of the information specified in this section within |
| 141 | 2 working days after a request for the information by a worker, |
| 142 | a service provider, a community-based organization, a charitable |
| 143 | organization, or medical personnel on behalf of the worker. |
| 144 | (c) The distributor, manufacturer, or importer of |
| 145 | agricultural pesticides shall prepare and provide each direct |
| 146 | purchaser of agricultural pesticides with a material safety data |
| 147 | sheet. If the material safety data sheet or fact sheet for the |
| 148 | agricultural pesticide is not available at the time the |
| 149 | agricultural pesticide is purchased, the agricultural employer |
| 150 | shall take appropriate and timely steps to obtain the material |
| 151 | safety data sheet or fact sheet from the distributor, the |
| 152 | manufacturer, the department, a federal agency, or another |
| 153 | distribution source. |
| 154 | (2) The department shall design and make available to the |
| 155 | trainer a one-page general agricultural pesticide safety sheet, |
| 156 | hereafter referred to as "safety sheet." This safety sheet must |
| 157 | be in a language understood by the worker and must include, but |
| 158 | is not limited to, illustrated instructions on prevention of |
| 159 | agricultural pesticide exposure and toll-free numbers to the |
| 160 | Florida Poison Control Centers so that workers may call for |
| 161 | additional agricultural pesticide exposure information. The |
| 162 | trainer shall provide to the worker the safety sheet at the time |
| 163 | of training pursuant to the United States Environmental |
| 164 | Protection Agency Worker Protection Standard, 40 C.F.R. s. |
| 165 | 170.130 (August 21, 1992). |
| 166 | Section 6. Section 487.2061, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 167 | to read: |
| 168 | 487.2061 Prohibited acts.--It is unlawful for any |
| 169 | agricultural employer to: |
| 170 | (1) Fail to provide agricultural pesticide information as |
| 171 | provided for in this part. |
| 172 | (2) Take any retaliatory action against any worker for |
| 173 | exercising any right under the provisions of the United States |
| 174 | Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection Standard, 40 |
| 175 | C.F.R. s. 170.7(b) (August 21, 1992), or this part. |
| 176 | Section 7. Section 487.2071, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 177 | to read: |
| 178 | 487.2071 Penalties against agricultural employer |
| 179 | violators; worker relief; monitoring complaints of |
| 180 | retaliation.-- |
| 181 | (1) Penalties set forth in part I of this chapter shall be |
| 182 | applied to any agricultural employer who violates any provision |
| 183 | in this part. Agricultural employers who violate the provisions |
| 184 | of this part also shall be subject to the federal penalties in |
| 185 | the United States Environmental Protection Agency Worker |
| 186 | Protection Standard, 40 C.F.R. s. 170.9(b). |
| 187 | (2)(a) Any worker who has been retaliated against by any |
| 188 | agricultural employer for exercising any right under the United |
| 189 | States Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection |
| 190 | Standard, 40 C.F.R. s. 170.7(b) (August 21, 1992), or this part |
| 191 | may seek relief under ss. 448.102-448.104. |
| 192 | (b) Any worker who has been retaliated against by any |
| 193 | agricultural employer for exercising any right under the United |
| 194 | States Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection |
| 195 | Standard, 40 C.F.R. s. 170.7(b) (August 21, 1992), or this part |
| 196 | and seeks relief pursuant to this section, or an individual or |
| 197 | organization authorized by s. 487.2051(1)(b), shall file a |
| 198 | complaint with the department of such retaliation. |
| 199 | (c) In any action brought pursuant to this section where |
| 200 | the retaliatory personnel action is predicated upon the |
| 201 | disclosure of an illegal activity, policy, or practice to an |
| 202 | appropriate governmental agency, the worker shall not be |
| 203 | required to show that the disclosure to the governmental agency |
| 204 | was under oath or in writing or that the notification to the |
| 205 | employer concerning the illegal activity, policy, or practice |
| 206 | was in writing as provided in s. 448.102(1). |
| 207 | (3) The department shall monitor all complaints of |
| 208 | retaliation which it receives and report its findings to the |
| 209 | President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of |
| 210 | Representatives on October 1, 2007. The report shall include the |
| 211 | number of such complaints received, the circumstances |
| 212 | surrounding the complaints, and the action taken concerning the |
| 213 | complaints. |
| 214 | Section 8. Section 487.011, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 215 | to read: |
| 216 | 487.011 Part Short title; administration.--This part |
| 217 | chapter may be cited as the "Florida Pesticide Law" and shall be |
| 218 | administered by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer |
| 219 | Services. |
| 220 | Section 9. Section 487.012, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 221 | to read: |
| 222 | 487.012 Declaration of purpose.--The purpose of this part |
| 223 | chapter is to regulate the distribution, sale, and use of |
| 224 | pesticides, except as provided in chapters 388 and 482, and to |
| 225 | protect people and the environment from the adverse effects of |
| 226 | pesticides. |
| 227 | Section 10. Section 487.021, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 228 | to read: |
| 229 | 487.021 Definitions.--For the purpose of this part |
| 230 | chapter: |
| 231 | (1) "Acceptable release rate" means a measured release |
| 232 | rate not exceeding 4.0 micrograms per square centimeter per day |
| 233 | at steady state conditions as determined in accordance with a |
| 234 | United States Environmental Protection Agency testing data call- |
| 235 | in notice of July 29, 1986, on tributyltin in antifouling paints |
| 236 | under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 |
| 237 | U.S.C. s. 136, or at a rate established by the department. |
| 238 | (2) "Active ingredient" means: |
| 239 | (a) In the case of a pesticide other than a plant |
| 240 | regulator, defoliant, or desiccant, an ingredient which will |
| 241 | prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate insects, nematodes, fungi, |
| 242 | rodents, weeds, or other pests. |
| 243 | (b) In the case of a plant regulator, an ingredient which, |
| 244 | through physiological action, will accelerate or retard the rate |
| 245 | of growth or rate of maturation, or otherwise alter the |
| 246 | behavior, of ornamental or crop plants or the produce thereof. |
| 247 | (c) In the case of a defoliant, an ingredient which will |
| 248 | cause the leaves or foliage to drop from a plant. |
| 249 | (d) In the case of a desiccant, an ingredient which will |
| 250 | artificially accelerate the drying of plant tissue. |
| 251 | (3) "Added ingredient" means any plant nutrient or plant |
| 252 | regulator added to the mixture which is not an active pesticidal |
| 253 | ingredient, but which the manufacturer wishes to show on the |
| 254 | label. |
| 255 | (4) "Adulterated" applies to any pesticide if its strength |
| 256 | or purity falls below or is in excess of the professed standard |
| 257 | of quality as expressed on labeling or under which it is sold, |
| 258 | if any substance has been substituted wholly or in part for the |
| 259 | pesticide or if any valuable constituent of the pesticide has |
| 260 | been wholly or in part abstracted. |
| 261 | (5) "Advertisement" means all representations disseminated |
| 262 | in any manner or by any means other than by labeling, for the |
| 263 | purpose of inducing, or which are likely to induce, directly or |
| 264 | indirectly, the purchase of pesticides. |
| 265 | (6) "Age of majority" means any natural person 18 years of |
| 266 | age or older, or an emancipated minor. |
| 267 | (7) "Aircraft" means any machine designed for flight and |
| 268 | for use in applying pesticides. |
| 269 | (8) "Animal" means all vertebrate and invertebrate |
| 270 | species, including, but not limited to, humans and other |
| 271 | mammals, birds, fish, and shellfish. |
| 272 | (9) "Antidote" means the most practical immediate |
| 273 | treatment for poisoning and includes first aid treatment. |
| 274 | (10) "Antifouling paint" means a coating, paint, or |
| 275 | treatment that is intended for use as a pesticide, as defined in |
| 276 | this section, to control freshwater or marine fouling organisms. |
| 277 | (11) "Antisiphon device" means a safety device used to |
| 278 | prevent the backflow of a mixture of water and chemicals into |
| 279 | the water supply. |
| 280 | (12) "Batch" or "lot" means a quantity of pesticide |
| 281 | produced or packaged and readily identified by numbers, letters, |
| 282 | or other symbols. |
| 283 | (13) "Brand" means the name, number, trademark, or any |
| 284 | other designation which distinguishes one pesticide product from |
| 285 | another. |
| 286 | (14) "Certification" means the recognition by the |
| 287 | department that an individual is a competent pesticide |
| 288 | applicator and, thus, is eligible for licensure in one or more |
| 289 | of the designated license types and categories. |
| 290 | (15) "Certified applicator" means any individual who has |
| 291 | been recognized by the department as a competent pesticide |
| 292 | applicator and, thus, is eligible to apply for licensure in one |
| 293 | or more of the designated license types and categories. |
| 294 | (16) "Commercial applicator" means an individual who has |
| 295 | reached the age of majority and is licensed by the department to |
| 296 | use or supervise the use of any restricted-use pesticide for any |
| 297 | purpose on any property other than as provided by the |
| 298 | definitions of "private applicator," "product specific |
| 299 | applicator," or "public applicator," whether or not the |
| 300 | individual is a private applicator with respect to some uses. |
| 301 | (17) "Dealer" means any person, other than the |
| 302 | manufacturer or distributor, who offers for sale, sells, |
| 303 | barters, or otherwise supplies pesticides to the ultimate user |
| 304 | or consumer. |
| 305 | (18) "Deficiency" means the amount of an active ingredient |
| 306 | of a pesticide by which it fails to come up to its guaranteed |
| 307 | analysis when analyzed. |
| 308 | (19) "Defoliant" means any substance or mixture of |
| 309 | substances intended for causing the leaves or foliage to drop |
| 310 | from a plant, with or without causing abscission. |
| 311 | (20) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and |
| 312 | Consumer Services or its authorized representative. |
| 313 | (21) "Desiccant" means any substance or mixture of |
| 314 | substances intended for artificially accelerating the drying of |
| 315 | plant tissues. |
| 316 | (22) "Device" means any instrument or contrivance (other |
| 317 | than a firearm) which is intended for trapping, destroying, |
| 318 | repelling, or mitigating, any pest or other form of plant or |
| 319 | animal life (other than human and other than bacteria, virus, or |
| 320 | other microorganism on or in living humans or other living |
| 321 | animals); but not including equipment used for the application |
| 322 | of pesticides when sold separately. |
| 323 | (23) "Distribute" means to offer for sale, hold for sale, |
| 324 | sell, barter, or supply pesticides in this state. |
| 325 | (24) "Distributor" means any person who offers for sale, |
| 326 | holds for sale, sells, barters, or supplies pesticides in this |
| 327 | state. |
| 328 | (25) "Emergency exemption" means an exemption as |
| 329 | authorized in s. 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and |
| 330 | Rodenticide Act. |
| 331 | (26) "Environment" means all water, air, land, plants, and |
| 332 | animals, and their relationships with one another. |
| 333 | (27) "Equipment" means any type of ground, aquatic, or |
| 334 | aerial device used to apply any pesticide on land, and on |
| 335 | anything that may be growing, habituating, or stored on or in |
| 336 | the land. Equipment does not include any pressurized hand-size |
| 337 | household device used to apply any pesticide, or any other |
| 338 | device where the person applying the pesticide is the source of |
| 339 | power for applying the pesticide. |
| 340 | (28) "Excess" means the amount of an active ingredient of |
| 341 | a pesticide found by analysis to be over the guaranteed amount. |
| 342 | (29) "Experimental use permit" means a permit issued by |
| 343 | the department or by the United States Environmental Protection |
| 344 | Agency as authorized in s. 5 of the Federal Insecticide, |
| 345 | Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. |
| 346 | (30) "Fungi" means all non-chlorophyll-bearing |
| 347 | thallophytes (that is, all non-chlorophyll-bearing plants of a |
| 348 | lower order than mosses and liverworts), as, for example, rusts, |
| 349 | smuts, mildews, molds, yeasts, and bacteria, except those on or |
| 350 | in living humans or other animals. |
| 351 | (31) "Highly toxic" means any highly poisonous pesticide |
| 352 | as determined by the rules promulgated pursuant to this part |
| 353 | chapter. |
| 354 | (32) "Imminent hazard" means a situation which exists when |
| 355 | the continued use of a pesticide during the time required for |
| 356 | cancellation proceedings would be likely to result in |
| 357 | unreasonable adverse effects on the environment or will involve |
| 358 | unreasonable hazard to the survival of a species declared |
| 359 | endangered. |
| 360 | (33) "Ineffective" means that pesticides such as |
| 361 | bacteriostats, disinfectants, germicides, sanitizers, and like |
| 362 | products fail to meet microbiological claims when tested in the |
| 363 | laboratory utilizing the officially approved procedures of the |
| 364 | Association of Official Analytical Chemists or other methods or |
| 365 | procedures as the department may find necessary. |
| 366 | (34) "Inert ingredient" means an ingredient which is not |
| 367 | an active ingredient. |
| 368 | (35) "Ingredient statement" means a statement of the name |
| 369 | and percentage by weight of each active ingredient, together |
| 370 | with the total percentage of the inert ingredients in the |
| 371 | pesticides. |
| 372 | (36) "Insect" means any of the numerous small invertebrate |
| 373 | animals generally having the body more or less obviously |
| 374 | segmented, for the most part belonging to the class Insecta, |
| 375 | comprising six legs, usually in winged form (as, for example, |
| 376 | beetles, bugs, bees, and flies) and to other allied classes and |
| 377 | arthropods whose members are wingless and usually have more than |
| 378 | six legs (as, for example, spiders, mites, ticks, centipedes, |
| 379 | and wood lice). |
| 380 | (37) "Irrigation system" means any device or combination |
| 381 | of devices having a hose, pipe, or other conduit which connects |
| 382 | directly to any source of ground or surface water, through which |
| 383 | device or combination of devices water or a mixture of water and |
| 384 | chemicals is drawn and applied for agricultural purposes. The |
| 385 | term does not include any handheld hose sprayer or other similar |
| 386 | device which is constructed so that an interruption in water |
| 387 | flow automatically prevents any backflow to the water source. |
| 388 | (38) "Label" means the written, printed, or graphic matter |
| 389 | on or attached to a pesticide, device, or immediate and outside |
| 390 | container or wrappers of such pesticide or device. |
| 391 | (39) "Labeling" means all labels and other written, |
| 392 | printed, or graphic matter referencing the pesticide or device |
| 393 | or upon any of its containers or wrappers, or accompanying the |
| 394 | pesticide or device at any time, but does not include accurate, |
| 395 | nonmisleading reference to current official publications of the |
| 396 | United States Departments of Agriculture or Interior, the |
| 397 | Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Public Health |
| 398 | Service, state experiment stations, state agricultural colleges, |
| 399 | or other similar federal institutions or official agencies of |
| 400 | this state or other states authorized by law to conduct research |
| 401 | in the field of pesticides. |
| 402 | (40) "Land" means all land and water areas, including |
| 403 | airspace. |
| 404 | (41) "Licensed applicator" means an individual who has |
| 405 | reached the age of majority and is authorized by license from |
| 406 | the department to use or supervise the use of any restricted-use |
| 407 | pesticide covered by the license. |
| 408 | (42) "Manufacturer" means a person engaged in the business |
| 409 | of importing, producing, preparing, mixing, formulating, or |
| 410 | reformulating pesticides for the purpose of distribution. |
| 411 | (43) "Mixer-loader" means any individual who handles open |
| 412 | containers or otherwise prepares, processes, or dilutes |
| 413 | pesticides in preparation for final application. |
| 414 | (44) "Nematode" means invertebrate animals of the phylum |
| 415 | Nemathelminthes and class Nematoda (that is, unsegmented round |
| 416 | worms with elongated, fusiform, or saclike bodies covered with |
| 417 | cuticle and inhabiting soil, water, plants, or plant parts), and |
| 418 | may also be known as nemas or eelworms. |
| 419 | (45) "Official sample" means any sample of a pesticide |
| 420 | taken by the department in accordance with the provisions of |
| 421 | this part chapter or rules adopted under this part chapter, and |
| 422 | designated as official by the department. |
| 423 | (46) "Organotin compound" means any compound of tin used |
| 424 | as a biocide in an antifouling paint. |
| 425 | (47) "Percent" means one one-hundredth part by weight or |
| 426 | volume. |
| 427 | (48) "Pest" means: |
| 428 | (a) Any insect, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed; or |
| 429 | (b) Any other form of terrestrial or aquatic plant or |
| 430 | animal life or virus, bacteria, or other microorganism, except |
| 431 | viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms on or in living |
| 432 | humans or other living animals, which is declared to be a pest |
| 433 | by the administrator of the United States Environmental |
| 434 | Protection Agency or which may be declared to be a pest by the |
| 435 | department by rule. |
| 436 | (49) "Pesticide" means any substance or mixture of |
| 437 | substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or |
| 438 | mitigating any insects, rodents, nematodes, fungi, weeds, or |
| 439 | other forms of plant or animal life or viruses, except viruses, |
| 440 | bacteria, or fungi on or in living humans or other animals, |
| 441 | which the department by rule declares to be a pest, and any |
| 442 | substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant |
| 443 | regulator, defoliant, or desiccant; however, the term |
| 444 | "pesticide" does not include any article that: |
| 445 | (a) Is a "new animal drug" within the meaning of s. 201(w) |
| 446 | of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; |
| 447 | (b) Has been determined by the Secretary of the United |
| 448 | States Department of Health and Human Services not to be a new |
| 449 | animal drug by a regulation establishing conditions of use for |
| 450 | the article; or |
| 451 | (c) Is an animal feed within the meaning of s. 201(x) of |
| 452 | the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act bearing or containing |
| 453 | an article covered in this subsection. |
| 454 | (50) "Plant nutrient" means any ingredient that furnishes |
| 455 | nourishment to the plant or promotes its growth in a normal |
| 456 | manner. |
| 457 | (51) "Plant regulator" means any substance or mixture of |
| 458 | substances intended, through physiological action, for |
| 459 | accelerating or retarding the rate of growth or maturation, or |
| 460 | for otherwise altering the behavior, of ornamental or crop |
| 461 | plants or the produce thereof; but does not include substances |
| 462 | intended as plant nutrients, trace elements, nutritional |
| 463 | chemicals, plant inoculants, or soil amendments. |
| 464 | (52) "Private applicator" means an individual who has |
| 465 | reached the age of majority and is licensed by the department to |
| 466 | use or supervise the use of any restricted-use pesticide for |
| 467 | purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property |
| 468 | owned or rented by his or her employer, or, if applied without |
| 469 | compensation other than the trading of personal services between |
| 470 | producers of agricultural commodities, on the property of |
| 471 | another person. |
| 472 | (53) "Product" means a unique pesticide and label as |
| 473 | distinguished by its individually assigned United States |
| 474 | Environmental Protection Agency registration number, special |
| 475 | local need registration number, or experimental use permit |
| 476 | number. |
| 477 | (54) "Protect health and the environment" means protection |
| 478 | against any unreasonable adverse effects on people or the |
| 479 | environment. |
| 480 | (55) "Public applicator" means an individual who has |
| 481 | reached the age of majority and is licensed by the department to |
| 482 | use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides as an |
| 483 | employee of a state agency, municipal corporation, or other |
| 484 | governmental agency. |
| 485 | (56) "Product specific applicator" means an individual who |
| 486 | has reached the age of majority and is licensed by the |
| 487 | department to use or supervise the use of a particular |
| 488 | restricted-use pesticide product that is identified on the |
| 489 | license by the United States Environmental Protection Agency |
| 490 | registration number, as well as any Florida special local need |
| 491 | registration number and any specific identifying information as |
| 492 | deemed appropriate for nonfederally registered products exempt |
| 493 | under s. 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and |
| 494 | Rodenticide Act, provided that the restricted-use pesticide |
| 495 | product is used for the purpose of producing agricultural |
| 496 | commodities on property owned or rented by the licensee or the |
| 497 | licensee's employer, or is applied on the property of another |
| 498 | person without compensation other than trading of personal |
| 499 | services between producers of agricultural commodities. |
| 500 | (57) "Registrant" means the person registering any |
| 501 | pesticide pursuant to the provisions of this part chapter. |
| 502 | (58) "Restricted-use pesticide" means a pesticide which, |
| 503 | when applied in accordance with its directions for use, |
| 504 | warnings, and cautions and for uses for which it is registered |
| 505 | or for one or more such uses, or in accordance with a widespread |
| 506 | and commonly recognized practice, may generally cause, without |
| 507 | additional regulatory restrictions, unreasonable adverse effects |
| 508 | on the environment, or injury to the applicator or other |
| 509 | persons, and which has been classified as a restricted-use |
| 510 | pesticide by the department or the administrator of the United |
| 511 | States Environmental Protection Agency. |
| 512 | (59) "Sell or sale" includes exchanges. |
| 513 | (60) "Special local need registration" means a state |
| 514 | registration issued by the department as authorized in s. 24(c) |
| 515 | of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. |
| 516 | (61) "Special review" is a process for reviewing selected |
| 517 | pesticides based upon information that the pesticides have been |
| 518 | found to present environmental or health concerns not considered |
| 519 | in the registration process or that data submitted in support of |
| 520 | registration are inadequate or outdated. |
| 521 | (62) "Tolerance" means the deviation from the guaranteed |
| 522 | analysis permitted by law. |
| 523 | (63) "Transportation of pesticides in bulk" means the |
| 524 | movement of a pesticide which is held in an individual container |
| 525 | in undivided quantities of greater than 55 U.S. gallons liquid |
| 526 | measure or 100 pounds net dry weight. |
| 527 | (64) "Under the direct supervision of a licensed |
| 528 | applicator" means, unless otherwise prescribed by its labeling, |
| 529 | a pesticide that must be applied by a competent person acting |
| 530 | under the instruction and control of a licensed applicator who |
| 531 | is available if and when needed, even though the licensed |
| 532 | applicator is not physically present when the pesticide is |
| 533 | applied. |
| 534 | (65) "Unreasonable adverse effects on the environment" |
| 535 | means any unreasonable risk to humans or the environment, taking |
| 536 | into account the economic, social, and environmental costs and |
| 537 | benefits of the use of any pesticide. |
| 538 | (66) "Vessel" means any type of watercraft or other |
| 539 | artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a |
| 540 | means of transportation on water. |
| 541 | (67) "Weed" means any plant which grows where not wanted. |
| 542 | Section 11. Paragraphs (b) and (f) of subsection (2) of |
| 543 | section 487.025, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 544 | 487.025 Misbranding.-- |
| 545 | (2) A pesticide is misbranded if: |
| 546 | (b) Its labeling bears any reference to registration under |
| 547 | this part chapter. |
| 548 | (f) Any word, statement, or other information required by |
| 549 | or under authority of this part chapter to appear on the |
| 550 | labeling is not prominently placed thereon with such |
| 551 | conspicuousness, as compared with other words, statements, |
| 552 | designs, or graphic matter in the labeling, and in such terms as |
| 553 | to render it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary |
| 554 | individual under customary conditions of purchase and use. |
| 555 | Section 12. Subsections (2), (4), and (5), and paragraphs |
| 556 | (g), (h), (l), (n), (p), (q), and (r) of subsection (13) of |
| 557 | section 487.031, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 558 | 487.031 Prohibited acts.--It is unlawful: |
| 559 | (2) To distribute, sell, or offer for sale within this |
| 560 | state any pesticide or product which has not been registered |
| 561 | pursuant to the provisions of this part chapter, except |
| 562 | pesticides distributed, sold, offered for sale, or used in |
| 563 | accordance with the provisions of federal or state restriction, |
| 564 | supervision, or cancellation orders or other existing stock |
| 565 | agreements. |
| 566 | (4) To detach, alter, deface, or destroy, in whole or in |
| 567 | part, any label or labeling provided for in this part chapter or |
| 568 | rules promulgated under this part chapter, or to add any |
| 569 | substance to, or take any substance from, any pesticide in a |
| 570 | manner that may defeat the purpose of this part chapter. |
| 571 | (5) For any person to use for his or her own advantage or |
| 572 | to reveal any information relative to formulas of products |
| 573 | acquired by authority of this part chapter, other than to: the |
| 574 | department, proper officials, or employees of the state; the |
| 575 | courts of this state in response to a subpoena; physicians, |
| 576 | pharmacists, and other qualified persons, in an emergency, for |
| 577 | use in the preparation of antidotes. The information relative to |
| 578 | formulas of products is confidential and exempt from the |
| 579 | provisions of s. 119.07(1). |
| 580 | (13) For any person to: |
| 581 | (g) Refuse or, after notice, neglect to comply with the |
| 582 | provisions of this part chapter, the rules adopted under this |
| 583 | part chapter, or any lawful order of the department; |
| 584 | (h) Refuse or neglect to keep and maintain the records |
| 585 | required by this part chapter or to submit reports when and as |
| 586 | required; |
| 587 | (l) Aid or abet a licensed or unlicensed person to evade |
| 588 | the provisions of this part chapter, or combine or conspire with |
| 589 | a licensed or unlicensed person to evade the provisions of this |
| 590 | part chapter, or allow a license to be used by an unlicensed |
| 591 | person; |
| 592 | (n) Make false or misleading statements, or fail to |
| 593 | report, pursuant to this part chapter, any suspected or known |
| 594 | damage to property or illness or injury to persons caused by the |
| 595 | application of pesticides; |
| 596 | (p) Fail to maintain a current liability insurance policy |
| 597 | or surety bond as provided for in this part chapter; |
| 598 | (q) Fail to adequately train, as provided for in this part |
| 599 | chapter, unlicensed applicators or mixer-loaders applying |
| 600 | restricted-use pesticides under the direct supervision of a |
| 601 | licensed applicator; or |
| 602 | (r) Fail to provide authorized representatives of the |
| 603 | department with records required by this part chapter or with |
| 604 | free access for inspection and sampling of any pesticide, areas |
| 605 | treated with or impacted by these materials, and equipment used |
| 606 | in their application. |
| 607 | Section 13. Subsections (2), (3), and (8) of section |
| 608 | 487.041, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 609 | 487.041 Registration.-- |
| 610 | (2) For the purpose of defraying expenses of the |
| 611 | department in connection with carrying out the provisions of |
| 612 | this part chapter, each person shall pay an annual registration |
| 613 | fee of $250 for each registered pesticide. The annual |
| 614 | registration fee for each special local need label and |
| 615 | experimental use permit shall be $100. All registrations expire |
| 616 | on December 31 of each year. Nothing in this section shall be |
| 617 | construed as applying to distributors or retail dealers selling |
| 618 | pesticides when such pesticides are registered by another |
| 619 | person. |
| 620 | (3) The department shall adopt rules governing the |
| 621 | procedures for pesticide registration and for the review of data |
| 622 | submitted by an applicant for registration of a pesticide. The |
| 623 | department shall determine whether a pesticide should be |
| 624 | registered, registered with conditions, or tested under field |
| 625 | conditions in this state. The department shall determine that |
| 626 | all requests for pesticide registrations meet the requirements |
| 627 | of current state and federal law. The department, whenever it |
| 628 | deems it necessary in the administration of this part chapter, |
| 629 | may require the manufacturer or registrant to submit the |
| 630 | complete formula, quantities shipped into or manufactured in the |
| 631 | state for distribution and sale, evidence of the efficacy and |
| 632 | the safety of any pesticide, and other relevant data. The |
| 633 | department may review and evaluate a registered pesticide if new |
| 634 | information is made available which indicates that use of the |
| 635 | pesticide has caused an unreasonable adverse effect on public |
| 636 | health or the environment. Such review shall be conducted upon |
| 637 | the request of the secretary of the Department of Health in the |
| 638 | event of an unreasonable adverse effect on public health or the |
| 639 | secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection in the |
| 640 | event of an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment. Such |
| 641 | review may result in modifications, revocation, cancellation, or |
| 642 | suspension of a pesticide registration. The department, for |
| 643 | reasons of adulteration, misbranding, or other good cause, may |
| 644 | refuse or revoke the registration of any pesticide, after notice |
| 645 | to the applicant or registrant giving the reason for the |
| 646 | decision. The applicant may then request a hearing, pursuant to |
| 647 | chapter 120, on the intention of the department to refuse or |
| 648 | revoke registration, and, upon his or her failure to do so, the |
| 649 | refusal or revocation shall become final without further |
| 650 | procedure. In no event shall registration of a pesticide be |
| 651 | construed as a defense for the commission of any offense |
| 652 | prohibited under this part chapter. |
| 653 | (8) Nothing in this section affects the authority of the |
| 654 | department to administer the pesticide registration program |
| 655 | under this part chapter or the authority of the Commissioner of |
| 656 | Agriculture to approve the registration of a pesticide. |
| 657 | Section 14. Section 487.0435, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 658 | to read: |
| 659 | 487.0435 License classification.--The department shall |
| 660 | issue certified applicator licenses in the following |
| 661 | classifications: certified public applicator; certified private |
| 662 | applicator; and certified commercial applicator. In addition, |
| 663 | separate classifications and subclassifications may be specified |
| 664 | by the department in rule as deemed necessary to carry out the |
| 665 | provisions of this part chapter. Each classification shall be |
| 666 | subject to requirements or testing procedures to be set forth by |
| 667 | rule of the department and shall be restricted to the activities |
| 668 | within the scope of the respective classification as established |
| 669 | in statute or by rule. In specifying classifications, the |
| 670 | department may consider, but is not limited to, the following: |
| 671 | (1) Whether the license sought is for commercial, public, |
| 672 | or private applicator status. |
| 673 | (2) The method of applying the restricted-use pesticide. |
| 674 | (3) The specific crops upon which restricted-use |
| 675 | pesticides are applied. |
| 676 | (4) The proximity of populated areas to the land upon |
| 677 | which restricted-use pesticides are applied. |
| 678 | (5) The acreage under the control of the licensee. |
| 679 | (6) The pounds of technical restricted toxicant applied |
| 680 | per acre per year by the licensee. |
| 681 | Section 15. Section 487.045, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 682 | to read: |
| 683 | 487.045 Fees.-- |
| 684 | (1) The department shall establish applicable fees by |
| 685 | rule. The fees shall not exceed $250 for commercial applicators |
| 686 | or $100 for private applicators and public applicators, for |
| 687 | initial licensing and for each subsequent license renewal. The |
| 688 | fees shall be determined annually and shall represent department |
| 689 | costs associated with enforcement of the provisions of this part |
| 690 | chapter. |
| 691 | (2) Fees collected under the provisions of this part |
| 692 | chapter shall be deposited into the General Inspection Trust |
| 693 | Fund and shall be used to defray expenses in the administration |
| 694 | of this part chapter. |
| 695 | Section 16. Subsection (2) of section 487.046, Florida |
| 696 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 697 | 487.046 Application; licensure.-- |
| 698 | (2) If the department finds the applicant qualified in the |
| 699 | classification for which the applicant has applied, and if the |
| 700 | applicant applying for a license to engage in aerial application |
| 701 | of pesticides has met all of the requirements of the Federal |
| 702 | Aviation Agency and the Department of Transportation of this |
| 703 | state to operate the equipment described in the application and |
| 704 | has shown proof of liability insurance or posted a surety bond |
| 705 | in an amount to be set forth by rule of the department, the |
| 706 | department shall issue a certified applicator's license, limited |
| 707 | to the classifications for which the applicant is qualified. The |
| 708 | license shall expire as required by rules promulgated under this |
| 709 | part chapter, unless it has been revoked or suspended by the |
| 710 | department prior to expiration, for cause as provided in this |
| 711 | part chapter. The license or authorization card issued by the |
| 712 | department verifying licensure shall be kept on the person of |
| 713 | the licensee while performing work as a licensed applicator. |
| 714 | Section 17. Section 487.047, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 715 | to read: |
| 716 | 487.047 Nonresident license; reciprocal agreement; |
| 717 | authorized purchase.-- |
| 718 | (1) The department may waive all or part of the |
| 719 | examination requirements provided for in this part chapter on a |
| 720 | reciprocal basis with any other state or agency, or an Indian |
| 721 | tribe, that has substantially the same or better standards. |
| 722 | (2) Any nonresident applying for a license under this part |
| 723 | chapter to operate in the state shall file a Designation of |
| 724 | Registered Agent naming the Secretary of State as the agent of |
| 725 | the nonresident, upon whom process may be served in the event of |
| 726 | any suit against the nonresident. The designation shall be |
| 727 | prepared on a form provided by the department and shall render |
| 728 | effective the jurisdiction of the courts of this state over the |
| 729 | nonresident applicant. However, any nonresident who has a duly |
| 730 | appointed registered agent upon whom process may be served as |
| 731 | provided by law shall not be required to designate the Secretary |
| 732 | of State as registered agent. The Secretary of State shall be |
| 733 | allowed the registered-agent fees as provided by law for |
| 734 | designating registered agents. The department shall be furnished |
| 735 | with a copy of the designation of the Secretary of State or of a |
| 736 | registered agent which is certified by the Secretary of State. |
| 737 | The Secretary of State shall notify the department of any |
| 738 | service of process it receives as registered agent for persons |
| 739 | licensed under this part chapter. |
| 740 | (3) Restricted-use pesticides may be purchased by any |
| 741 | person who holds a valid applicator's license or who holds a |
| 742 | valid purchase authorization card issued by the department or by |
| 743 | a licensee under chapter 482 or chapter 388. A nonlicensed |
| 744 | person may apply restricted-use pesticides under the direct |
| 745 | supervision of a licensed applicator. An applicator's license |
| 746 | shall be issued by the department on a form supplied by it in |
| 747 | accordance with the requirements of this part chapter. |
| 748 | Section 18. Subsection (1) of section 487.049, Florida |
| 749 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 750 | 487.049 Renewal; late fee; recertification.-- |
| 751 | (1) The department shall require renewal of a certified |
| 752 | applicator's license at 4-year intervals from the date of |
| 753 | issuance. If the application for renewal of any license provided |
| 754 | for in this part chapter is not filed on time, a late fee shall |
| 755 | be assessed not to exceed $50. However, the penalty shall not |
| 756 | apply if the renewal application is filed within 60 days after |
| 757 | the renewal date, provided the applicant furnishes an affidavit |
| 758 | certifying that he or she has not engaged in business subsequent |
| 759 | to the expiration of the license for a period not exceeding 60 |
| 760 | days. A license may be renewed without taking another |
| 761 | examination unless the department determines that new knowledge |
| 762 | related to the classification for which the applicant has |
| 763 | applied makes a new examination necessary; however, the |
| 764 | department may require the applicant to provide evidence of |
| 765 | continued competency, as determined by rule. If the license is |
| 766 | not renewed within 60 days of the expiration date, then the |
| 767 | licensee may again be required to take another examination, |
| 768 | unless there is some unavoidable circumstance which results in |
| 769 | the delay of the renewal of any license issued under this part |
| 770 | chapter which was not under the applicant's control. |
| 771 | Section 19. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and subsection |
| 772 | (2) of section 487.051, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 773 | 487.051 Administration; rules; procedure.-- |
| 774 | (1) The department may by rule: |
| 775 | (b) Establish procedures for the taking and handling of |
| 776 | samples and establish tolerances and deficiencies where not |
| 777 | specifically provided for in this part chapter; assess |
| 778 | penalties; and prohibit the sale or use of pesticides or devices |
| 779 | shown to be detrimental to human beings, the environment, or |
| 780 | agriculture or to be otherwise of questionable value. |
| 781 | (2) The department is authorized to adopt by rule the |
| 782 | primary standards established by the United States Environmental |
| 783 | Protection Agency with respect to pesticides. If the provisions |
| 784 | of this part chapter are preempted in part by federal law, those |
| 785 | provisions not preempted shall apply. This part chapter is |
| 786 | intended as comprehensive and exclusive regulation of pesticides |
| 787 | in this state. Except as provided in chapters 373, 376, 388, |
| 788 | 403, and 482, or as otherwise provided by law, no agency, |
| 789 | commission, department, county, municipality, or other political |
| 790 | subdivision of the state may adopt laws, regulations, rules, or |
| 791 | policies pertaining to pesticides, including their registration, |
| 792 | packaging, labeling, distribution, sale, or use, except that |
| 793 | local jurisdictions may adopt or enforce an ordinance pertaining |
| 794 | to pesticides if that ordinance is in the area of occupational |
| 795 | license taxes, building and zoning regulations, disposal or |
| 796 | spillage of pesticides within a water well zone, or pesticide |
| 797 | safety regulations relating to containment at the storage site. |
| 798 | Section 20. Subsection (4) of section 487.0615, Florida |
| 799 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 800 | 487.0615 Pesticide Review Council.-- |
| 801 | (4) The council is defined as a "substantially interested |
| 802 | person" and has standing under chapter 120 in any proceeding |
| 803 | conducted by the department relating to the registration of a |
| 804 | pesticide under this part chapter. The standing of the council |
| 805 | shall in no way prevent individual members of the council from |
| 806 | exercising standing in these matters. |
| 807 | Section 21. Subsections (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) and |
| 808 | paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (7) of section 487.071, |
| 809 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 810 | 487.071 Enforcement, inspection, sampling, and analysis.-- |
| 811 | (1) The department is authorized to enter upon any public |
| 812 | or private premises or carrier where pesticides are known or |
| 813 | thought to be distributed, sold, offered for sale, held, stored, |
| 814 | or applied, during regular business hours in the performance of |
| 815 | its duties relating to pesticides and records pertaining to |
| 816 | pesticides. No person shall deny or refuse access to the |
| 817 | department when it seeks to enter upon any public or private |
| 818 | premises or carrier during business hours in performance of its |
| 819 | duties under this part chapter. |
| 820 | (2) The department is authorized and directed to sample, |
| 821 | test, inspect, and make analyses of pesticides sold, offered for |
| 822 | sale, distributed, or used within this state, at a time and |
| 823 | place and to such an extent as it may deem necessary, to |
| 824 | determine whether the pesticides or persons exercising control |
| 825 | over the pesticides are in compliance with the provisions of |
| 826 | this part chapter, the rules adopted under this part chapter, |
| 827 | and the provisions of the pesticide label or labeling. |
| 828 | (3) The official analysis shall be made from the official |
| 829 | sample. A sealed and identified sample, herein called "official |
| 830 | check sample" shall be kept until the analysis on the official |
| 831 | sample is completed. However, the registrant may obtain upon |
| 832 | request a portion of the official sample. Upon completion of the |
| 833 | analysis of the official sample, a true copy of the certificate |
| 834 | of analysis shall be mailed to the registrant of the pesticide |
| 835 | from whom the official sample was taken and also to the dealer |
| 836 | or agent, if any, and consumer, if known. If the official |
| 837 | analysis conforms with the provisions of this part chapter, the |
| 838 | official check sample may be destroyed. If the official analysis |
| 839 | does not conform with the provisions of this part chapter, the |
| 840 | rules adopted under this part chapter, and the provisions of the |
| 841 | pesticide label or labeling, the official check sample shall be |
| 842 | retained for a period of 90 days from the date of the |
| 843 | certificate of analysis of the official sample. If within that |
| 844 | time the registrant of the pesticide from whom the official |
| 845 | sample was taken makes demand for analysis by a referee chemist, |
| 846 | a portion of the official check sample sufficient for analysis |
| 847 | shall be sent to a referee chemist who is mutually acceptable to |
| 848 | the department and the registrant for analysis at the expense of |
| 849 | the registrant. Upon completion of the analysis, the referee |
| 850 | chemist shall forward to the department and to the registrant a |
| 851 | certificate of analysis bearing a proper identification mark or |
| 852 | number; and such certificate of analysis shall be verified by an |
| 853 | affidavit of the person or laboratory making the analysis. If |
| 854 | the certificate of analysis checks within 3 percent of the |
| 855 | department's analysis on each active ingredient for which |
| 856 | analysis was made, the mean average of the two analyses shall be |
| 857 | accepted as final and binding on all concerned. However, if the |
| 858 | referee's certificate of analysis shows a variation of greater |
| 859 | than 3 percent from the department's analysis in any one or more |
| 860 | of the active ingredients for which an analysis was made, upon |
| 861 | demand of either the department or the registrant from whom the |
| 862 | official sample was taken, a portion of the official check |
| 863 | sample sufficient for analysis shall be submitted to a second |
| 864 | referee chemist who is mutually acceptable to the department and |
| 865 | the registrant, at the expense of the party or parties |
| 866 | requesting the referee analysis. Upon completion of the |
| 867 | analysis, the second referee chemist shall make a certificate |
| 868 | and report as provided in this subsection for the first referee |
| 869 | chemist. The mean average of the two analyses nearest in |
| 870 | conformity shall be accepted as final and binding on all |
| 871 | concerned. If no demand is made for an analysis by a second |
| 872 | referee chemist, the department's certificate of analysis shall |
| 873 | be accepted as final and binding on all concerned. |
| 874 | (4) If a pesticide or device fails to comply with the |
| 875 | provisions of this part chapter with reference to the ingredient |
| 876 | statement reflecting the composition of the product, as required |
| 877 | on the registration and labeling, and the department |
| 878 | contemplates possible criminal proceedings against the person |
| 879 | responsible because of this violation, the department shall, |
| 880 | after due notice, accord the person an informal hearing or an |
| 881 | opportunity to present evidence and opinions, either orally or |
| 882 | in writing, with regard to such contemplated proceedings. If in |
| 883 | the opinion of the department the facts warrant, the department |
| 884 | may refer the facts to the state attorney for the county in |
| 885 | which the violation occurred, with a copy of the results of the |
| 886 | analysis or the examination of such article; provided that |
| 887 | nothing in this part chapter shall be construed as requiring the |
| 888 | department to report for prosecution minor violations whenever |
| 889 | it believes that the public interest will be subserved by a |
| 890 | suitable notice of warning in writing. |
| 891 | (6) The department shall, by publication in such manner as |
| 892 | it may prescribe, give notice of all judgments entered in |
| 893 | actions instituted under the authority of this part chapter. |
| 894 | (7)(a) The department may analyze pesticide samples upon |
| 895 | request in a manner consistent with this part chapter. |
| 896 | (e) In addition to any other penalty provided by this part |
| 897 | chapter, the registrant of any pesticide found to be |
| 898 | adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise deficient shall reimburse |
| 899 | the person requesting the pesticide analysis under this |
| 900 | subsection for all fees assessed by and paid to the department. |
| 901 | Section 22. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section |
| 902 | 487.081, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 903 | 487.081 Exemptions.-- |
| 904 | (2) No article shall be deemed in violation of this part |
| 905 | chapter when intended solely for export to a foreign country and |
| 906 | when prepared or packed according to the specifications or |
| 907 | directions of the purchaser. |
| 908 | (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part |
| 909 | chapter, registration required under this part chapter is not |
| 910 | required in the case of a pesticide stored or shipped from one |
| 911 | manufacturing plant within this state to another manufacturing |
| 912 | plant within this state operated by the same person. |
| 913 | (4) Nothing in this part chapter shall be construed to |
| 914 | apply to persons duly licensed or certified under chapter 388 or |
| 915 | chapter 482 performing any pest control or other operation for |
| 916 | which they are licensed or certified under those chapters. |
| 917 | Section 23. Subsection (2) of section 487.091, Florida |
| 918 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 919 | 487.091 Tolerances, deficiencies, and penalties.-- |
| 920 | (2) If a pesticide is found by analysis to be deficient in |
| 921 | an active ingredient beyond the tolerance as provided in this |
| 922 | part chapter, the registrant is subject to a penalty for the |
| 923 | deficiency, not to exceed $10,000 per violation. However, no |
| 924 | penalty shall be assessed when the official sample was taken |
| 925 | from a pesticide that was in the possession of a consumer for |
| 926 | more than 45 days from the date of purchase by that consumer, or |
| 927 | when the product label specifies that the product should be used |
| 928 | by an expiration date that has passed. Procedures for assessing |
| 929 | penalties shall be established by rule, based on the degree of |
| 930 | the deficiency. Penalties assessed shall be paid to the consumer |
| 931 | or, in the absence of a known consumer, the department. If the |
| 932 | penalty is not paid within the prescribed period of time as |
| 933 | established by rule, the department may deny, suspend, or revoke |
| 934 | the registration of any pesticide. |
| 935 | Section 24. Section 487.101, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 936 | to read: |
| 937 | 487.101 Stop-sale, stop-use, removal, or hold orders.-- |
| 938 | (1) When a pesticide or device is being offered or exposed |
| 939 | for sale, used, or held in violation of any of the provisions of |
| 940 | this part chapter, the department may issue and enforce a stop- |
| 941 | sale, stop-use, removal, or hold order, in writing, to the owner |
| 942 | or custodian of the pesticide or device, ordering that the |
| 943 | pesticide or device be held at a designated place until the part |
| 944 | chapter has been complied with and the pesticide or device is |
| 945 | released, in writing, by the department or the violation has |
| 946 | been disposed of by court order. |
| 947 | (2) The written notice is warning to all persons, |
| 948 | including, but not limited to, the owner or custodian of the |
| 949 | pesticide or the owner's or custodian's agents or employees, to |
| 950 | scrupulously refrain from moving, bothering, altering, or |
| 951 | interfering with the pesticide or device or from altering, |
| 952 | defacing, or in any way interfering with the written notice or |
| 953 | permitting the same to be done. The willful violation of these |
| 954 | provisions is a misdemeanor, subjecting the violator to the |
| 955 | penalty provisions of this part chapter. |
| 956 | (3) The department shall release the pesticide or device |
| 957 | under a stop-sale, stop-use, removal, or hold order when the |
| 958 | owner or custodian complies with the provisions of this part |
| 959 | chapter. |
| 960 | (4) The owner or custodian, with authorization and |
| 961 | supervision of the department, may relabel the pesticide or |
| 962 | device so that the label will conform to the product, or |
| 963 | transfer and return the product to the manufacturer or supplier |
| 964 | for the purpose of bringing the product in compliance with the |
| 965 | provisions of this part chapter. |
| 966 | Section 25. Subsection (1) of section 487.111, Florida |
| 967 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 968 | 487.111 Seizure, condemnation, and sale.-- |
| 969 | (1) Any lot of pesticide or device not in compliance with |
| 970 | the provisions of this part chapter is subject to seizure on |
| 971 | complaint of the department to the circuit court in the county |
| 972 | in which the pesticide or device is located. In the event the |
| 973 | court finds the pesticide or device in violation of this part |
| 974 | chapter and orders it condemned, it shall be disposed of as the |
| 975 | court may direct; provided that in no instance shall the |
| 976 | disposition of the pesticide or device be ordered by the court |
| 977 | without first giving the owner or custodian an opportunity to |
| 978 | apply to the court for release of the pesticide or device or for |
| 979 | permission to process or relabel it to bring it into compliance |
| 980 | with this part chapter. |
| 981 | Section 26. Section 487.13, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 982 | to read: |
| 983 | 487.13 Cooperation.--The department is authorized and |
| 984 | empowered to cooperate with and enter into agreements with any |
| 985 | other agency of this state, the United States Department of |
| 986 | Agriculture, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, |
| 987 | and any other state or federal agency for the purpose of |
| 988 | carrying out the provisions of this part chapter and securing |
| 989 | uniformity of regulations. |
| 990 | Section 27. Section 487.156, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 991 | to read: |
| 992 | 487.156 Governmental agencies.--All governmental agencies |
| 993 | shall be subject to the provisions of this part chapter and |
| 994 | rules adopted under this part chapter. Public applicators using |
| 995 | or supervising the use of restricted-use pesticides shall be |
| 996 | subject to examination as provided in s. 487.044. |
| 997 | Section 28. Subsection (1) of section 487.159, Florida |
| 998 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 999 | 487.159 Damage or injury to property, animal, or person; |
| 1000 | mandatory report of damage or injury; time for filing; failure |
| 1001 | to file.-- |
| 1002 | (1) The person claiming damage or injury to property, |
| 1003 | animal, or human beings from application of a pesticide shall |
| 1004 | file with the department a written statement claiming damages, |
| 1005 | on a form prescribed by the department, within 48 hours after |
| 1006 | the damage or injury becomes apparent. The statement shall |
| 1007 | contain, but shall not be limited to, the name of the person |
| 1008 | responsible for the application of the pesticide, the name of |
| 1009 | the owner or lessee of the land on which the crop is grown and |
| 1010 | for which the damages are claimed, and the date on which it is |
| 1011 | alleged that the damages occurred. The department shall |
| 1012 | investigate the alleged damages and notify all concerned parties |
| 1013 | of its findings. If the findings reveal a violation of the |
| 1014 | provisions of this part chapter, the department shall determine |
| 1015 | an appropriate penalty, as provided in this part chapter. The |
| 1016 | filing of a statement or the failure to file such a statement |
| 1017 | need not be alleged in any complaint which might be filed in a |
| 1018 | court of law, and the failure to file the statement shall not be |
| 1019 | considered any bar to the maintenance of any criminal or civil |
| 1020 | action. |
| 1021 | Section 29. Section 487.161, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 1022 | to read: |
| 1023 | 487.161 Exemptions, nonagricultural pest control and |
| 1024 | research.-- |
| 1025 | (1) Any person duly licensed or certified under chapter |
| 1026 | 482, or under the supervision of chapter 388, is exempted from |
| 1027 | the licensing provisions of this part chapter. |
| 1028 | (2) The use of the antibiotic oxytetracycline |
| 1029 | hydrochloride for the purpose of controlling lethal yellowing is |
| 1030 | exempted from the licensing provisions of this part chapter. |
| 1031 | (3) The personnel of governmental, university, or |
| 1032 | industrial research agencies are exempted from the provisions of |
| 1033 | this part chapter when doing applied research within a |
| 1034 | laboratory, but shall comply with all the provisions of this |
| 1035 | part chapter when applying restricted-use pesticides to |
| 1036 | experimental or demonstration plots. |
| 1037 | Section 30. Section 487.163, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 1038 | to read: |
| 1039 | 487.163 Information; interagency cooperation.-- |
| 1040 | (1) The department may, in cooperation with the University |
| 1041 | of Florida or other agencies of government, publish information |
| 1042 | and conduct short courses of instruction in the safe use and |
| 1043 | application of pesticides for the purpose of carrying out the |
| 1044 | provisions of this part chapter. |
| 1045 | (2) The department may cooperate or enter into formal |
| 1046 | agreements with any other agency or educational institution of |
| 1047 | this state or its subdivisions or with any agency of any other |
| 1048 | state or of the Federal Government for the purpose of carrying |
| 1049 | out the provisions of this part chapter and of securing |
| 1050 | uniformity of regulations. |
| 1051 | Section 31. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section |
| 1052 | 487.171, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 1053 | 487.171 Classification of antifouling paint containing |
| 1054 | organotin compounds as restricted-use pesticides; prohibition of |
| 1055 | distribution and sale.-- |
| 1056 | (1) The department shall classify antifouling paints |
| 1057 | containing organotin compounds having an acceptable release rate |
| 1058 | as restricted-use pesticides subject to the requirements of this |
| 1059 | part chapter. Antifouling paints containing organotin having |
| 1060 | acceptable release rates and sold in spray cans of 16 ounces |
| 1061 | avoirdupois weight or less for outboard motor or lower unit use |
| 1062 | are exempt from the restricted-use pesticide classification |
| 1063 | requirement. |
| 1064 | (2) The department shall initiate action under chapter |
| 1065 | 120, to deny or cancel the registration of antifouling paints |
| 1066 | containing organotin compounds which do not have an acceptable |
| 1067 | release rate or do not meet other criteria established by the |
| 1068 | department in accordance with this part chapter. |
| 1069 | (3) Distribution, sale, and use of antifouling paints |
| 1070 | containing organotin compounds with acceptable release rates |
| 1071 | shall be limited to dealers and applicators licensed by the |
| 1072 | department in accordance with this part chapter, to distribute, |
| 1073 | sell, or use restricted-use pesticides. Such paint may be |
| 1074 | applied only by licensed applicators and may be applied only to |
| 1075 | vessels which exceed 25 meters in length or which have aluminum |
| 1076 | hulls. |
| 1077 | Section 32. Section 487.175, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 1078 | to read: |
| 1079 | 487.175 Penalties; administrative fine; injunction.-- |
| 1080 | (1) In addition to any other penalty provided in this part |
| 1081 | chapter, when the department finds any person, applicant, or |
| 1082 | licensee has violated any provision of this part chapter or rule |
| 1083 | adopted under this part chapter, it may enter an order imposing |
| 1084 | any one or more of the following penalties: |
| 1085 | (a) Denial of an application for licensure. |
| 1086 | (b) Revocation or suspension of a license. |
| 1087 | (c) Issuance of a warning letter. |
| 1088 | (d) Placement of the licensee on probation for a specified |
| 1089 | period of time and subject to conditions the department may |
| 1090 | specify by rule, including requiring the licensee to attend |
| 1091 | continuing education courses, to demonstrate competency through |
| 1092 | a written or practical examination, or to work under the direct |
| 1093 | supervision of another licensee. |
| 1094 | (e) Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed |
| 1095 | $10,000 for each violation. When imposing any fine under this |
| 1096 | paragraph, the department shall consider the degree and extent |
| 1097 | of harm caused by the violation, the cost of rectifying the |
| 1098 | damage, the amount of money the violator benefited from by |
| 1099 | noncompliance, whether the violation was committed willfully, |
| 1100 | and the compliance record of the violator. |
| 1101 | (2) Any person who violates any provision of this part |
| 1102 | chapter or rules adopted pursuant thereto commits a misdemeanor |
| 1103 | of the second degree and upon conviction is punishable as |
| 1104 | provided in ss. 775.082 and 775.083. For a subsequent violation, |
| 1105 | such person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree and upon |
| 1106 | conviction is punishable as provided in ss. 775.082 and 775.083. |
| 1107 | (3) In addition to the remedies provided in this part |
| 1108 | chapter and notwithstanding the existence of any adequate remedy |
| 1109 | at law, the department may bring an action to enjoin the |
| 1110 | violation or threatened violation of any provision of this part |
| 1111 | chapter, or rule adopted under this part chapter, in the circuit |
| 1112 | court of the county in which the violation occurred or is about |
| 1113 | to occur. Upon the department's presentation of competent and |
| 1114 | substantial evidence to the court of the violation or threatened |
| 1115 | violation, the court shall immediately issue the temporary or |
| 1116 | permanent injunction sought by the department. The injunction |
| 1117 | shall be issued without bond. A single act in violation of any |
| 1118 | provision of this part chapter shall be sufficient to authorize |
| 1119 | the issuance of an injunction. |
| 1120 | Section 33. Subsection (1) of section 403.088, Florida |
| 1121 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 1122 | 403.088 Water pollution operation permits; conditions.-- |
| 1123 | (1) No person, without written authorization of the |
| 1124 | department, shall discharge into waters within the state any |
| 1125 | waste which, by itself or in combination with the wastes of |
| 1126 | other sources, reduces the quality of the receiving waters below |
| 1127 | the classification established for them. However, this section |
| 1128 | shall not be deemed to prohibit the application of pesticides to |
| 1129 | waters in the state for the control of insects, aquatic weeds, |
| 1130 | or algae, provided the application is performed pursuant to a |
| 1131 | program approved by the Department of Health, in the case of |
| 1132 | insect control, or the department, in the case of aquatic weed |
| 1133 | or algae control. The department is directed to enter into |
| 1134 | interagency agreements to establish the procedures for program |
| 1135 | approval. Such agreements shall provide for public health, |
| 1136 | welfare, and safety, as well as environmental factors. Approved |
| 1137 | programs must provide that only chemicals approved for the |
| 1138 | particular use by the United States Environmental Protection |
| 1139 | Agency or by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services |
| 1140 | may be employed and that they be applied in accordance with |
| 1141 | registered label instructions, state standards for such |
| 1142 | application, and the provisions of the Florida Pesticide Law, |
| 1143 | part I of chapter 487. |
| 1144 | Section 34. Subsection (1) of section 482.242, Florida |
| 1145 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 1146 | 482.242 Preemption.-- |
| 1147 | (1) This chapter is intended as comprehensive and |
| 1148 | exclusive regulation of pest control in this state. The |
| 1149 | provisions of this chapter preempt to the state all regulation |
| 1150 | of the activities and operations of pest control services, |
| 1151 | including the pesticides used pursuant to labeling and |
| 1152 | registration approved under part I of chapter 487. No local |
| 1153 | government or political subdivision of the state may enact or |
| 1154 | enforce an ordinance that regulates pest control, except that |
| 1155 | the preemption in this section does not prohibit a local |
| 1156 | government or political subdivision from enacting an ordinance |
| 1157 | regarding any of the following: |
| 1158 | (a) Local occupational licenses adopted pursuant to |
| 1159 | chapter 205. |
| 1160 | (b) Land development regulations adopted pursuant to |
| 1161 | chapter 163 which include regulation of any aspect of |
| 1162 | development, including a subdivision, building construction, |
| 1163 | sign regulation or any other regulation concerning the |
| 1164 | development of land, or landscaping or tree protection |
| 1165 | ordinances which do not include pesticide application |
| 1166 | restrictions. |
| 1167 | (c) Regulations that: |
| 1168 | 1. Require, for multicomplex dwellings in excess of 10 |
| 1169 | units, annual termite inspections for termite activity or |
| 1170 | damage, including Formosan termites, which must be performed by |
| 1171 | a person licensed under this chapter. |
| 1172 | 2. Require pest control treatments of structures that have |
| 1173 | termite activity or damage which must be performed by a person |
| 1174 | licensed under this chapter. |
| 1175 | 3. Require property owners or other persons to obtain |
| 1176 | inspections or pest control treatments performed by a person |
| 1177 | licensed under this chapter. |
| 1178 |
|
| 1179 | An ordinance by a local government or political subdivision |
| 1180 | which requires an annual inspection or pest control treatment |
| 1181 | must conform to current law. |
| 1182 | (d) Protection of wellhead protection areas and high |
| 1183 | recharge areas. |
| 1184 | (e) Hazardous materials reporting as set forth in part II |
| 1185 | of chapter 252, storage, and containment including as relating |
| 1186 | to stormwater management. |
| 1187 | (f) Hazardous material unlawful discharge and disposal. |
| 1188 | (g) Hazardous materials remediation. |
| 1189 | Section 35. Paragraph (x) of subsection (1) of section |
| 1190 | 500.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 1191 | 500.03 Definitions; construction; applicability.-- |
| 1192 | (1) For the purpose of this chapter, the term: |
| 1193 | (x) "Pesticide chemical" means any substance which, alone, |
| 1194 | in chemical combination, or in formulation with one or more |
| 1195 | other substances is a "pesticide" within the meaning of the |
| 1196 | Florida Pesticide Law, part I of chapter 487, and which is used |
| 1197 | in the production, storage, or transportation of raw |
| 1198 | agricultural commodities. |
| 1199 | Section 36. Subsections (1) and (6) of section 570.44, |
| 1200 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 1201 | 570.44 Division of Agricultural Environmental Services; |
| 1202 | powers and duties.--The duties of the Division of Agricultural |
| 1203 | Environmental Services include, but are not limited to: |
| 1204 | (1) Inspecting and drawing samples of: commercial feeds |
| 1205 | offered for sale in this state and enforcing those provisions of |
| 1206 | chapter 580 authorized by the department; seeds offered for sale |
| 1207 | in this state and enforcing those provisions of chapter 578 |
| 1208 | authorized by the department; certified seed grown in this |
| 1209 | state; fertilizers offered for sale in this state and enforcing |
| 1210 | those provisions of chapter 576 authorized by the department; |
| 1211 | and pesticides offered for sale in this state, and soil and |
| 1212 | water in this state for the presence of pesticides, and |
| 1213 | enforcing those provisions of chapter part I of 487 authorized |
| 1214 | by the department. |
| 1215 | (6) Analyzing samples of pesticide formulations offered |
| 1216 | for sale in this state and tank mix, soil, water, and other |
| 1217 | environmental samples related to pesticide use investigations, |
| 1218 | as required under part I of chapter 487. |
| 1219 | Section 37. In editing manuscript for the next edition of |
| 1220 | the official Florida Statutes, the Division of Statutory |
| 1221 | Revision shall designate ss. 487.011-487.175, Florida Statutes, |
| 1222 | as part I of that chapter and ss. 487.2011-487.2071, Florida |
| 1223 | Statutes, as created by this act, as part II of that chapter. |
| 1224 | Section 38. This act shall take effect July 1, 2004. |