SF 793

as introduced - 79th Legislature (1995 - 1996) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to agriculture; eliminating requirements for 
  1.3             certain periodic reports by the department of 
  1.4             agriculture; amending Minnesota Statutes 1994, 
  1.5             sections 18.0228, subdivision 3; and 42.04, 
  1.6             subdivision 2; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1994, 
  1.7             sections 18.023, subdivision 11; 32.73, subdivision 7; 
  1.8             40A.17; and 41.53, subdivision 3. 
  1.9   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.10     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 18.0228, 
  1.11  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  1.12     Subd. 3.  [EFFECTS ON FORAGING BEES.] (a) The Minnesota 
  1.13  extension service shall hold meetings in grasshopper control 
  1.14  zone areas explaining grasshopper control methods and procedures 
  1.15  to minimize adverse effects on foraging bees. 
  1.16     (b) Not later than May 1 of each year, an owner of honeybee 
  1.17  colonies must notify the commissioner as to the number and 
  1.18  location of the colonies.  Notification under this section must 
  1.19  be accomplished by identifying on a map provided by the 
  1.20  commissioner the location of colonies.  The notice must include 
  1.21  the name, address, and telephone number of the owner.  If an 
  1.22  owner of honeybee colonies relocates the colonies the owner must 
  1.23  report the relocation orally, by phone, or in writing to the 
  1.24  extension agent, the town clerk, and the commissioner within ten 
  1.25  days after the relocation. 
  1.26     (c) The commissioner shall prepare maps of the location of 
  1.27  all registered honeybee colonies, including identification of 
  2.1   the name, address, and telephone number of the owner.  The maps 
  2.2   must be updated at least once each 14 days if owners of 
  2.3   registered honeybee colonies give notice of relocations. 
  2.4      (d) The commissioner shall provide a list of licensed 
  2.5   commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators, including 
  2.6   the applicator's name, business address, and phone number, to 
  2.7   the registered beekeepers in designated grasshopper control 
  2.8   zones. 
  2.9      (e) The commissioner shall prescribe a system by which 
  2.10  owners of honeybee colonies, licensed commercial and 
  2.11  noncommercial pesticide applicators, and county extension agents 
  2.12  must, and town clerks may, be advised of the location of 
  2.13  registered honeybee colonies reported under this section, of the 
  2.14  federal pesticide label requirements pertaining to foraging 
  2.15  bees, and of penalties for violating label requirements. 
  2.16     (f) The commissioner shall also develop guidelines for a 
  2.17  voluntary system to facilitate the exchange of information 
  2.18  between owners of registered honeybee colonies and pesticide 
  2.19  applicators regarding the pesticide selected for use, the 
  2.20  anticipated date and time of application, and the location of 
  2.21  honeybee colonies. 
  2.22     (g) In a year in which grasshopper control zones are 
  2.23  designated, the commissioner shall report to the chairs of the 
  2.24  house and senate agriculture and environment committees on the 
  2.25  number of acres treated for grasshopper control, the pesticides 
  2.26  recommended for use, the pesticides used, the results of 
  2.27  research and application of nonpesticide grasshopper control, 
  2.28  the number of acres exempted from grasshopper control, and any 
  2.29  evidence of negative environmental impacts of the grasshopper 
  2.30  control program. 
  2.31     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 42.04, 
  2.32  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  2.33     Subd. 2.  [DUTIES.] The commissioner of agriculture shall: 
  2.34     (a) utilize to the extent possible the facilities and 
  2.35  technical resources of public and private institutions in the 
  2.36  state; and 
  3.1      (b) by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 14, require persons 
  3.2   engaged in weather modification to submit reports of their 
  3.3   activities and operations and any other information deemed 
  3.4   necessary; 
  3.5      (c) on or before January 15 of each year, submit a report 
  3.6   to the legislature and governor describing the weather 
  3.7   modification operations within the state during the preceding 
  3.8   year and the social, economic and environmental impact of the 
  3.9   operations.  The report shall also include recommendations for 
  3.10  legislative action and any other information useful to the 
  3.11  legislature. 
  3.12     Sec. 3.  [REPEALER.] 
  3.13     Minnesota Statutes 1994, sections 18.023, subdivision 11; 
  3.14  32.73, subdivision 7; 40A.17; and 41.53, subdivision 3, are 
  3.15  repealed.