Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-293

ENV 293

Pesticide Classification and Assessment

Mr. Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section__, the following new section:-

“SECTION__. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, neither the department of agricultural resources, the Pesticide Board, nor subcommittee thereof shall classify any category of pesticide or pesticide use pattern as  restricted use without  conducting and publishing a  report which  investigates all rationale for the proposed restrictions  which shall include but not be limited to  assessment of actions by the EPA, other states,  and detailed assessment of related violations of the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act and the regulations 333 CMR 10.00 and will publish a report of all allegations and a ruling on each incidence and whether the perpetrator was licensed or unlicensed no later than the third Wednesday in January annually.  The department shall not promulgate any regulations relative to 333 CMR 10.00 prior to the completion of said investigation. Further, assessments shall be conducted every 5 years for those categories of pesticides use which have been restricted to account for changes in products and practices. Those categories of pesticides and use patterns currently restricted shall be reassessed no later than January 1, 2015.”