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CHAPTER 18B. PESTICIDE CONTROL

Table of Sections
Section Headnote
18B.01 DEFINITIONS.
18B.02 PREEMPTION OF LOCAL LAW.
18B.03 POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER.
18B.04 PESTICIDE IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT.
18B.045 PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN.
18B.05 PESTICIDE REGULATORY ACCOUNT.
18B.051 POLLINATOR RESEARCH ACCOUNT.
18B.055 COMPENSATION FOR BEES KILLED BY PESTICIDE; APPROPRIATION.
18B.06 RULES.
18B.063 STATE USES OF PESTICIDES AND NUTRIENTS.
18B.064 PESTICIDE USE INFORMATION.
18B.065 WASTE PESTICIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM.
18B.07 PESTICIDE USE, APPLICATION, AND EQUIPMENT CLEANING.
18B.075 PESTICIDE-TREATED SEED.
18B.08 CHEMIGATION.
18B.09 PESTICIDE APPLICATION IN CITIES.
18B.091 PESTICIDES ON MEDICAL CANNABIS.
18B.095 PESTICIDE APPLICATION IN SCHOOLS.
18B.10 ACTION TO PREVENT GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION.
18B.11 SALE OR USE OF TCDD.
18B.115 SALE OR USE OF CHLORDANE OR HEPTACHLOR.
18B.12 SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ADULTERATED PESTICIDES.
18B.13 SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MISBRANDED PESTICIDES AND DEVICES.
18B.135 SALE OF PESTICIDES IN RETURNABLE CONTAINERS AND MANAGEMENT OF UNUSED PORTIONS.
18B.14 PESTICIDE STORAGE.
18B.15 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.16 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.17 COOPERATIVE INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENTS.
18B.18 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.19 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.20 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.21 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.22 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.23 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.24 UNSATISFIED JUDGMENTS.
18B.25 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.26 PESTICIDE REGISTRATION.
18B.27 PESTICIDE REGISTRATION FOR SPECIAL LOCAL NEEDS.
18B.28 EXPERIMENTAL USE PESTICIDE PRODUCT REGISTRATION.
18B.285 [Repealed, 2017 c 88 art 2 s 93]
18B.29 RECIPROCAL LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION AGREEMENTS.
18B.30 PESTICIDE USE LICENSE REQUIREMENT; INTERNET SALES PROHIBITED; RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDES.
18B.305 PESTICIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
18B.31 PESTICIDE DEALER LICENSE.
18B.315 [Repealed, 2007 c 45 art 1 s 66]
18B.316 AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE DEALER LICENSE AND REPORTING.
18B.32 STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL LICENSE.
18B.33 COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR LICENSE.
18B.34 NONCOMMERCIAL APPLICATOR LICENSE.
18B.345 PESTICIDE APPLICATION ON GOLF COURSES.
18B.346 PESTICIDE APPLICATION ON RAILROAD PROPERTY.
18B.35 APPLICATION CATEGORIES WITHIN APPLICATOR LICENSES.
18B.36 PRIVATE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION.
18B.37 RECORDS; PLANS; INSPECTIONS.
18B.38 PROTECTION OF TRADE SECRETS.
18B.39 EXISTING RULES.

18B.01 DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1.Applicability.

The definitions in this section apply to this chapter.

Subd. 1a.Agricultural pesticide.

"Agricultural pesticide" means a pesticide that bears labeling that meets federal worker protection agricultural use requirements established in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, parts 156 and 170.

Subd. 1b.Agricultural pesticide dealer.

"Agricultural pesticide dealer" means a person who distributes an agricultural pesticide in the state or into the state to an end user. This action would commonly be described as a retail sale.

Subd. 1c.Apiary.

"Apiary" means a place where a collection of one or more hives or colonies of bees or the nuclei of bees are kept.

Subd. 1d.Application or use of a pesticide.

"Application or use of a pesticide" includes:

(1) the dispersal of a pesticide on, in, at, or directed toward a target site;

(2) preapplication activities that involve the mixing and loading of a restricted use pesticide; and

(3) other restricted use pesticide-related activities, including but not limited to transporting or storing pesticide containers that have been opened; cleaning equipment; and disposing of excess pesticides, spray mix, equipment wash waters, pesticide containers, and other materials that contain pesticide.

Subd. 2.Approved agency.

"Approved agency" means a state agency, other than the Department of Agriculture, or an agency of a county, municipality, or other political subdivision that has signed a joint powers agreement under section 471.59 with the commissioner.

Subd. 2a.Bee.

"Bee" means any stage of the common honeybee, Apis mellifera (L).

Subd. 2b.Bee owner.

"Bee owner" means a person who owns a bee colony or colonies.

Subd. 2c.Bee kill incident.

"Bee kill incident" means an acute pesticide poisoning of a bee colony or colonies located within one-half mile of each other at a single time point.

Subd. 3.Beneficial insects.

"Beneficial insects" means insects that are: (1) effective pollinators of plants; (2) parasites or predators of pests; or (3) otherwise beneficial.

Subd. 4.Bulk pesticide.

"Bulk pesticide" means a pesticide that is held in an individual container, with a pesticide content of 56 United States gallons or more, or 100 pounds or greater net dry weight.

Subd. 4a.

MS 2012 [Renumbered subd 4b]

Subd. 4a.Bulk pesticide storage facility.

"Bulk pesticide storage facility" means a facility that is required to have a permit under section 18B.14.

Subd. 4b.Collection site.

"Collection site" means a permanent or temporary designated location with scheduled hours for authorized collection where pesticide end users may bring their waste pesticides.

Subd. 4c.Colony.

"Colony" means the aggregate of worker bees, drones, the queen, and developing young bees living together as a family unit in a hive or other dwelling.

Subd. 4d.Cleaning product.

"Cleaning product" means a pesticide used primarily for domestic, commercial, or institutional cleaning purposes, including but not limited to an air care product, an automotive maintenance product, a general cleaning product, or a polish or floor maintenance product.

Subd. 5.Commercial applicator.

"Commercial applicator" means a person who has or is required to have a commercial applicator license.

Subd. 6.Commissioner.

"Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture or an agent authorized by the commissioner.

Subd. 6a.Container.

"Container" means a portable device in which a material is stored, transported, treated, disposed of, or otherwise handled.

Subd. 6b.Corrective action.

"Corrective action" means an action taken to minimize, eliminate, or clean up an incident.

Subd. 6c.Currently unavoidable use.

"Currently unavoidable use" means a use of PFAS that is essential for the health, safety, or functioning of society and for which alternatives are not reasonably available. Currently unavoidable use may include consideration of the need to prevent or minimize potential pest resistance and the potential human health and environmental impacts of alternative products.

Subd. 7.Device.

"Device" means an instrument or contrivance, other than a firearm, that is intended or used to destroy, repel, or mitigate a pest, a form of plant or animal life other than humans, or a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism on or in living animals, including humans. A device does not include equipment used for the application of pesticides if the equipment is sold separately from the instrument or contrivance.

Subd. 8.Distribute.

"Distribute" means offer for sale, sell, barter, ship, deliver for shipment, receive and deliver, and offer to deliver pesticides in this state or into this state.

Subd. 9.Environment.

"Environment" means surface water, groundwater, air, land, plants, humans, and animals and their interrelationships.

Subd 9a.

[Renumbered subd 9d]

Subd. 9b.Experimental use permit.

"Experimental use permit" means a permit issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as authorized in Section 5 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

Subd. 9c.Experimental use pesticide product.

"Experimental use pesticide product" means any federally registered or unregistered pesticide whose use is authorized by an experimental use permit issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Subd. 9d.Fixed location.

"Fixed location" means all stationary restricted and bulk pesticide facility operations owned or operated by a person located in the same plant location or locality.

Subd. 10.FIFRA.

"FIFRA" means the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act, United States Code, title 7, sections 136 to 136y, and regulations under Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, subchapter E, parts 150 to 180.

Subd. 10a.

[Repealed, 2017 c 88 art 2 s 93]

Subd. 10b.

[Repealed, 2017 c 88 art 2 s 93]

Subd. 11.Hazardous waste.

"Hazardous waste" means any substance identified or listed as hazardous waste in the rules adopted under section 116.07, subdivision 4.

Subd. 11a.Hive.

"Hive" means a frame hive, box hive, box, barrel, log gum, skep, or any other receptacle or container, natural or artificial, or any part of one, which is used as a domicile for bees.

Subd. 12.Incident.

"Incident" means a flood, fire, tornado, transportation accident, storage container rupture, leak, spill, emission discharge, escape, disposal, or other event that releases or immediately threatens to release a pesticide accidentally or otherwise into the environment, and may cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment. "Incident" does not include a release from normal use of a pesticide or practice in accordance with law.

Subd. 12a.Intentionally added.

"Intentionally added" means PFAS deliberately added during the manufacture of a product where the continued presence of PFAS is desired in the final product or one of the product's components to perform a specific function.

Subd. 13.Label.

"Label" means the written, printed, or graphic matter on, or attached to, the pesticide or device or their containers or wrappers.

Subd. 14.Labeling.

"Labeling" means all labels and other written, printed, or graphic matter:

(1) accompanying the pesticide or device;

(2) referred to by the label or literature accompanying the pesticide or device; or

(3) that relates or refers to the pesticide or to induce the sale of the pesticide or device.

"Labeling" does not include current official publications of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Interior, United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, state agricultural experiment stations, state agricultural colleges, and other similar federal or state institutions or agencies authorized by law to conduct research in the field of pesticides.

Subd. 14a.Local unit of government.

"Local unit of government" means a statutory or home rule charter city, town, county, soil and water conservation district, watershed district, another special purpose district, and local or regional board.

Subd. 14b.Nonagricultural pesticide.

"Nonagricultural pesticide" means a pesticide that does not bear labeling that meets federal worker protection agricultural use requirements established in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, parts 156 and 170.

Subd. 14c.Minimum risk pesticide.

"Minimum risk pesticide" means a pesticide or class of pesticides that is exempt from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's registration requirements under section 25(b) of the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, section 152.25(f).

Subd. 15.Noncommercial applicator.

"Noncommercial applicator" means a person who has or is required to have a noncommercial applicator license.

Subd. 15a.Organism.

"Organism" means an animal, plant, bacterium, cyanobacterium, fungus, protist, or virus.

Subd. 15b.Owner of real property.

"Owner of real property" means a person who is in possession of, has the right of control, or controls the use of real property, including a person who has legal title to property and a person who has the right to use or contract use of the property under a lease, contract for deed, or license.

Subd. 15c.Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

"Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS" means a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.

Subd. 16.

[Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]

Subd. 17.Pest.

"Pest" means an insect, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed, terrestrial or aquatic plant, animal life, virus, bacteria, or other organism designated by rule as a pest, except a virus, bacteria, or other microorganism on or in living humans or other living animals.

Subd. 18.Pesticide.

"Pesticide" means a substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate a pest, and a substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.

Subd. 19.Pesticide dealer.

"Pesticide dealer" means a person who has or is required to have a pesticide dealer license.

Subd. 19a.Pesticide end user.

"Pesticide end user" means a farmer or other person who uses, intends to use, or owns a pesticide. Pesticide end user does not include a dealer, manufacturer, formulator, or packager.

Subd. 20.Plant regulator.

"Plant regulator" means a substance or mixture of substances intended through physiological action to accelerate or retard the rate of growth or rate of maturation of a plant, or to otherwise alter the behavior of ornamental or crop plants or the produce of the plants. Plant regulator does not include substances to the extent that they are intended as plant nutrients, trace elements, nutritional chemicals, plant inoculants, or soil amendments.

Subd. 20a.Pollinator.

"Pollinator" means an insect that pollinates flowers.

Subd. 21.Private applicator.

"Private applicator" means a person certified or required to be certified to use restricted use pesticides.

Subd. 22.Registrant.

"Registrant" means a person that has registered a pesticide under this chapter.

Subd. 22a.

[Repealed, 2017 c 88 art 2 s 93]

Subd. 23.Responsible party.

"Responsible party" means a person who at the time of an incident has custody of, control of, or responsibility for a pesticide, pesticide container, or pesticide rinsate.

Subd. 24.Restricted use pesticide.

"Restricted use pesticide" means a pesticide formulation designated as a restricted use pesticide under FIFRA or by the commissioner under this chapter.

Subd. 24a.Returnable container.

"Returnable container" means a container for distributing pesticides that enables the unused pesticide product to be returned to the distributor, manufacturer, or packager, and includes bulk, mini-bulk, or dedicated containers designed to protect the integrity of the pesticide and prevent contamination through the introduction of unauthorized materials.

Subd. 25.Rinsate.

"Rinsate" means a dilute mixture of a pesticide or pesticides with water, solvents, oils, commercial rinsing agents, or other substances, that is produced by or results from the cleaning of pesticide application equipment or pesticide containers.

Subd. 26.Safeguard.

"Safeguard" means a facility, equipment, device, or system, or a combination of these, designed to prevent an incident as required by rule.

Subd. 26a.School pest management coordinator.

"School pest management coordinator" means a person employed by a Minnesota kindergarten through 12th grade public school who is responsible for the school's pest management plans and implementation of pest management at the school, including the application of pesticides to the inside or outdoor property of the school.

Subd. 27.Site.

"Site" means all land and water areas, including air space, and all plants, animals, structures, buildings, contrivances, and machinery whether fixed or mobile, including anything used for transportation.

Subd. 28.Structural pest.

"Structural pest" means an invertebrate pest or commensal rodent in, on, under, or near a structure such as a residential or commercial building.

Subd. 29.Structural pest control.

"Structural pest control" means the control of any structural pest through the application of pesticides or through other means in or around a building or other structures, including trucks, boxcars, ships, aircraft, docks, and fumigation vaults.

Subd. 30.Structural pest control applicator.

"Structural pest control applicator" means a person who has or is required to have a structural pest control applicator license.

Subd. 30a.Substantially altering; substantially alter; substantial alteration.

"Substantially altering," "substantially alter," or "substantial alteration" means modifying a bulk agricultural chemical storage facility by:

(1) changing the capacity of a safeguard;

(2) adding storage containers in excess of the capacity of a safeguard as required by rule; or

(3) increasing the size of the single largest storage container in a safeguard as approved or permitted by the Department of Agriculture. This does not include routine maintenance of safeguards, storage containers, appurtenances, piping, mixing, blending, weighing, or handling equipment.

Subd. 31.Unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

"Unreasonable adverse effects on the environment" means any unreasonable risk to humans or the environment, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits of the use of any pesticide or seed treated with pesticide.

Subd. 31a.Waste pesticide.

"Waste pesticide" means a pesticide that the pesticide end user considers a waste. A waste pesticide can be a canceled pesticide, an unusable pesticide, or a usable pesticide.

Subd. 32.Wildlife.

"Wildlife" means all living things that are not human, domesticated, or pests.

18B.02 PREEMPTION OF LOCAL LAW.

Except as specifically provided in this chapter, the provisions of this chapter preempt ordinances by local governments that prohibit or regulate any matter relating to the registration, labeling, distribution, sale, handling, use, application, or disposal of pesticides. It is not the intent of this section to preempt local responsibilities for zoning, fire codes, or hazardous waste disposal.

History:

1987 c 358 s 44

18B.03 POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER.

Subdivision 1.Administration by commissioner.

The commissioner shall administer, implement, and enforce this chapter and the Department of Agriculture is the lead state agency for the regulation of pesticides. The commissioner has the sole regulatory authority over the terrestrial application of pesticides, including, but not limited to, the application of pesticides to agricultural crops, structures, and other nonaquatic environments. Except as provided in subdivision 3, a state agency other than the Department of Agriculture shall not regulate or require permits for the terrestrial or nonaquatic application of pesticides.

Subd. 2.Delegation of duties.

The functions vested in the commissioner by this chapter may be delegated to designated employees or agents of the Department of Agriculture.

Subd. 3.Delegation and data sharing to approved agencies.

The commissioner may, by written agreements, delegate specific inspection, enforcement, and other regulatory duties of this chapter to officials of approved agencies. The commissioner may enter into data sharing agreements with other state agencies to help assess the potential for unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment from the use of a pesticide.

Subd. 4.Pollinator enforcement.

The commissioner may take enforcement action under chapter 18D for a violation of this chapter, or any rule adopted under this chapter, that results in harm to pollinators, including but not limited to applying a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with the pesticide product's label or labeling and resulting in pollinator death or willfully applying pesticide in a manner inconsistent with the pesticide product's label or labeling. The commissioner must deposit any penalty collected under this subdivision in the pesticide regulatory account in section 18B.05.

Subd. 5.Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

The commissioner has the sole regulatory authority over the terrestrial application of pesticides containing PFAS, including but not limited to the application of pesticides to agricultural crops, structures, and other nonaquatic environments. In order to reduce duplication, a registrant is not required to provide technical data to another state agency if the registrant previously submitted the data to the commissioner and the data is available to the other state agencies.

18B.04 PESTICIDE IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT.

(a) The commissioner shall:

(1) determine the impact of pesticides on the environment, including the impacts on surface water and groundwater in this state;

(2) develop best management practices involving pesticide distribution, storage, handling, use, and disposal; and

(3) cooperate with and assist other state agencies and local governments to protect public health, pollinators, and the environment from harmful exposure to pesticides.

(b) The commissioner may assemble a group of experts under section 16C.10, subdivision 2, to consult in the investigation of pollinator deaths or illnesses. The group of experts may include representatives from local, state, and federal agencies; academia, including the University of Minnesota; the state pollinator bank; or other professionals as deemed necessary by the commissioner. The amount necessary for the purposes of this paragraph, not to exceed $100,000 per fiscal year, is appropriated from the pesticide regulatory account in section 18B.05.

18B.045 PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN.

Subdivision 1.Development.

The commissioner shall develop a pesticide management plan for the prevention, evaluation, and mitigation of occurrences of pesticides or pesticide breakdown products in groundwaters and surface waters of the state. The pesticide management plan must include components promoting prevention, developing appropriate responses to the detection of pesticides or pesticide breakdown products in groundwater and surface waters, and providing responses to reduce or eliminate continued pesticide movement to groundwater and surface water. By September 1 of each even-numbered year, the commissioner must submit a status report on the plan to the Environmental Quality Board for review and then to the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over the environment, natural resources, and agriculture.

Subd. 2.Coordination.

The pesticide management plan shall be coordinated and developed with other state agency plans and with other state agencies through the Environmental Quality Board. In addition, the University of Minnesota Extension Service, farm organizations, farmers, environmental organizations, and industry shall be involved in the pesticide management plan development.

18B.05 PESTICIDE REGULATORY ACCOUNT.

Subdivision 1.Establishment.

A pesticide regulatory account is established in the agricultural fund. Fees, assessments, and penalties collected under this chapter must be deposited in the agricultural fund and credited to the pesticide regulatory account. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for the administration and enforcement of this chapter and up to $20,000 per fiscal year may also be used by the commissioner for purposes of section 18H.14, paragraph (e).

Subd. 2.

[Repealed, 2003 c 128 art 3 s 47]

18B.051 POLLINATOR RESEARCH ACCOUNT.

Subdivision 1.Account established.

A pollinator research account is established in the agricultural fund. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for pollinator research and outreach, including but not limited to:

(1) the identification and establishment of habitat beneficial to pollinators;

(2) the development and promotion of science-based best management practices;

(3) the development and promotion of practices that can reduce the effects of pesticides on pollinators;

(4) the effects of seed treatments on pollinators; and

(5) the development and promotion of integrated pest management, including pest economic thresholds.

The University of Minnesota must select projects in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Subd. 2.Expiration.

This section expires July 1, 2027.

18B.055 COMPENSATION FOR BEES KILLED BY PESTICIDE; APPROPRIATION.

Subdivision 1.Compensation required.

(a) The commissioner must compensate a bee owner for an acute pesticide poisoning resulting in the death of bees or loss of bee colonies owned by the bee owner.

(b) Except as provided in this section, the bee owner is entitled to the fair market value of the dead bees and bee colonies losses as determined by the commissioner upon recommendation by academic experts and bee keepers. A bee owner must not be compensated for a claim that is less than $100 or compensated more than $10,000 for a bee kill incident. A bee owner may only make one claim for a single bee kill incident.

(c) A bee owner must not be compensated more than $20,000 in a fiscal year for bee kill incidents.

(d) To be eligible for compensation under this section, the bee owner and the affected apiary must be registered prior to the bee kill incident with a commonly utilized pesticide registry program, as designated by the commissioner.

Subd. 2.

MS 2022 [Repealed by amendment, 2023 c 43 art 2 s 25]

Subd. 3.Claim form.

Within three months of the commissioner making a determination of whether the death of bees or loss of bee colonies was caused by acute pesticide poisoning, the bee owner must file a claim on forms provided by the commissioner and available on the Department of Agriculture's website.

Subd. 4.Determination.

The commissioner must determine whether the death of the bees or loss of bee colonies was caused by an acute pesticide poisoning, whether the pesticide applicator can be determined, and whether the pesticide applicator applied the pesticide product in a manner consistent with the pesticide product's label or labeling.

Subd. 5.Payments; denial of compensation.

(a) If the commissioner denies compensation claimed by a bee owner under this section, the commissioner must issue a written decision based upon the available evidence. The decision must include specification of the facts upon which the decision is based and the conclusions on the material issues of the claim. The commissioner must mail a copy of the decision to the bee owner.

(b) A decision to deny compensation claimed under this section is not subject to the contested case review procedures of chapter 14, but may be reviewed upon a trial de novo in a court in the county where the loss occurred. The decision of the court may be appealed as in other civil cases. Review in court may be obtained by filing a petition for review with the administrator of the court within 60 days following receipt of a decision under this section. Upon the filing of a petition, the administrator must mail a copy to the commissioner and set a time for hearing within 90 days of the filing.

Subd. 6.Deduction from payment.

The commissioner must reduce payments made under this section by any compensation received by the bee owner for dead bees and bee colonies losses as proceeds from an insurance policy or from another source.

Subd. 6a.Enhanced penalty factor.

If the commissioner determines that a bee death or loss of bee colony was caused by acute pesticide poisoning, is able to determine the pesticide applicator that was responsible, and determines that the applicator applied the pesticide in a manner inconsistent with the product's label or labeling, the commissioner may add the amount that the bee owner received from the bee owner's claim to any penalty amount assessed by the commissioner under any penalty actions against the pesticide applicator under section 18D.315 or 18D.325.

Subd. 7.Appropriation.

The amount necessary to pay claims under this section, not to exceed $150,000 per fiscal year, is appropriated from the pesticide regulatory account in section 18B.05.

18B.06 RULES.

Subdivision 1.Authority.

The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement and enforce this chapter including procedures addressing local control of pesticide regulation. Rules adopted under this chapter are part of this chapter and a violation of the rules is a violation of a provision of this chapter.

Subd. 2.Conformity with FIFRA.

Rules adopted under this chapter:

(1) may not allow pesticide use that is prohibited by FIFRA; or

(2) relating to private applicators of restricted use pesticides and special local needs registrations, may not be inconsistent with the requirements of FIFRA.

Subd. 3.Pesticide use, handling, and disposal.

The commissioner shall adopt rules to govern the distribution, use, storage, handling, and disposal of pesticides, rinsates, and pesticide containers.

18B.063 STATE USES OF PESTICIDES AND NUTRIENTS.

The state shall use integrated pest management techniques in its management of public lands, including roadside rights-of-way, parks, and forests; and shall use planting regimes that minimize the need for pesticides and added nutrients.

18B.064 PESTICIDE USE INFORMATION.

The commissioner shall monitor urban and rural pesticide use on a biennial basis. Information shall be collected and automated consistent with section 103B.151, subdivision 1.

18B.065 WASTE PESTICIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.Collection and disposal.

The commissioner of agriculture shall establish and operate a program to collect and dispose of waste pesticides. The program must be made available to agricultural and nonagricultural pesticide end users whose waste generating activity occurs in this state. Waste pesticide generated in another state is not eligible for collection under this section.

Subd. 2.Implementation.

(a) The commissioner may obtain a United States Environmental Protection Agency hazardous waste identification number to manage the waste pesticides collected.

(b) The commissioner may limit the type and quantity of waste pesticides accepted for collection and may assess pesticide end users for portions of the costs incurred.

Subd. 2a.Disposal site requirement.

(a) For agricultural waste pesticides, the commissioner must enter into a contract with a county or group of counties under a joint powers agreement for household hazardous waste disposal or designate a place that is available at least every other year for persons to dispose of unused portions of agricultural pesticides. The commissioner shall consult with the person responsible for solid waste management and disposal in each county not under contract to determine an appropriate location and to advertise each collection event. Additional collection events may be provided if the commissioner determines that additional collections are warranted.

(b) For nonagricultural waste pesticides, the commissioner must enter into a contract with a county or group of counties under a joint powers agreement for household hazardous waste disposal or designate a place that is available at least every other year for persons to dispose of unused portions of nonagricultural pesticides.

(c) As provided under subdivision 7, the commissioner may enter into cooperative agreements with local units of government to provide the collections required under paragraph (a) or (b) and shall provide a local unit of government, as part of the cooperative agreement, with funding for reasonable costs incurred including, but not limited to, related supplies, transportation, advertising, and disposal costs as well as reasonable overhead costs.

(d) A person who collects waste pesticide under this section shall, on a form provided or in a method approved by the commissioner, record the actual or estimated weight of agricultural waste pesticide products collected and submit this information to the commissioner at least annually.

Subd. 3.Information; education; report.

(a) The commissioner shall provide informational and educational materials regarding waste pesticides and the proper management of waste pesticides to the public.

(b) No later than March 15 each year, the commissioner must report the following to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture finance:

(1) each instance of a refusal to collect waste pesticide or the assessment of a fee to a pesticide end user as authorized in subdivision 2, paragraph (b); and

(2) waste pesticide collection information including a discussion of the type and quantity of waste pesticide collected by the commissioner and any entity collecting waste pesticide under subdivision 7 during the previous calendar year, a summary of waste pesticide collection trends, and any corresponding program recommendations.

Subd. 4.Consultation with Pollution Control Agency.

The commissioner shall develop the program in this section in consultation and cooperation with the Pollution Control Agency.

Subd. 5.

[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 1 art 1 s 98]

Subd. 6.

[Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]

Subd. 7.Cooperative agreements.

(a) The commissioner may enter into cooperative agreements with state agencies and local units of government for administration of the waste pesticide collection program. The commissioner shall ensure that the program provides collection opportunities statewide. If the commissioner cannot contract with another party to administer the program in a county, the commissioner shall perform collections according to the provisions of this section.

(b) The commissioner, according to the terms of a cooperative agreement between the commissioner and a local unit of government, may establish limits for unusual types or excessive quantities of waste pesticide offered by pesticide end users to the local unit of government.

Subd. 8.Waste pesticide program surcharge.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), the commissioner shall annually collect a waste pesticide program surcharge of $50 on each agricultural waste pesticide product and $125 on each nonagricultural waste pesticide product registered in the state as part of a pesticide product registration application under section 18B.26, subdivision 3.

(b) Pesticide products classified as minimum risk by the United States Environmental Protection Agency are exempt from the waste pesticide program surcharge.

Subd. 9.Waste pesticide cooperative agreement account.

(a) A waste pesticide cooperative agreement account is created in the agricultural fund. Notwithstanding section 18B.05, the proceeds of surcharges imposed under subdivision 8 must be deposited in the agricultural fund and credited to the waste pesticide cooperative agreement account.

(b) Money in the waste pesticide cooperative agreement account, including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner and may only be used for costs incurred under a cooperative agreement pursuant to this section.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), if the amount available in the waste pesticide cooperative agreement account in any fiscal year exceeds the amount obligated to local units of government under subdivision 7, the excess is appropriated to the commissioner to perform waste pesticide collections under this section.

Subd. 10.Indemnification.

(a) A local unit of government, when operating or participating in a waste pesticide collection program pursuant to a cooperative agreement with the commissioner under this section, is an employee of the state, certified to be acting within the scope of employment, for purposes of the indemnification provisions of section 3.736, subdivision 9, for claims that arise out of the transportation, management, or disposal of any waste pesticide covered by the agreement:

(1) from and after the time the waste permanently leaves the local unit of government's possession and comes into the possession of the state's authorized transporter; and

(2) during the time the waste is transported between the local unit of government facilities by the state's authorized transporter.

(b) The state is not obligated to defend or indemnify a local unit of government under this subdivision to the extent of the local unit of government's liability insurance. The local unit of government's right to indemnify is not a waiver of the limitation, defenses, and immunities available to either the local unit of government or the state by law.

18B.07 PESTICIDE USE, APPLICATION, AND EQUIPMENT CLEANING.

Subdivision 1.Pesticide use.

Pesticides must be applied in accordance with the product label or labeling and in a manner that will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment within limits prescribed by this chapter and FIFRA.

Subd. 2.Prohibited pesticide use.

(a) A person may not use, store, handle, distribute, or dispose of a pesticide, rinsate, pesticide container, or pesticide application equipment in a manner:

(1) that is inconsistent with a label or labeling as defined by FIFRA;

(2) that endangers humans, damages agricultural products, food, livestock, fish, or wildlife; or

(3) that will cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

(b) A person may not direct a pesticide onto property beyond the boundaries of the target site. A person may not apply a pesticide resulting in damage to adjacent property. A person who applies a pesticide resulting in damage to adjacent property that is part of the state outdoor recreation system is subject to enhanced monetary penalties as provided in section 18D.40.

(c) A person may not directly apply a pesticide on a human by overspray or target site spray, except when:

(1) the pesticide is intended for use on a human;

(2) the pesticide application is for mosquito control operations;

(3) the pesticide application is for control of gypsy moth, forest tent caterpillar, or other pest species, as determined by the commissioner, and the pesticide used is a biological agent; or

(4) the pesticide application is for a public health risk, as determined by the commissioner of health, and the commissioner of health, in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture, determines that the application is warranted based on the commissioner's balancing of the public health risk with the risk that the pesticide application poses to the health of the general population, with special attention to the health of children.

(d) For pesticide applications under paragraph (c), clause (2), the following conditions apply:

(1) no practicable and effective alternative method of control exists;

(2) the pesticide is among the least toxic available for control of the target pest; and

(3) notification to residents in the area to be treated is provided at least 24 hours before application through direct notification, posting daily on the treating organization's website, if any, and by sending a broadcast email to those persons who request notification of such, of those areas to be treated by adult mosquito control techniques during the next calendar day. For control operations related to human disease, notice under this paragraph may be given less than 24 hours in advance.

(e) For pesticide applications under paragraph (c), clauses (3) and (4), the following conditions apply:

(1) no practicable and effective alternative method of control exists;

(2) the pesticide is among the least toxic available for control of the target pest; and

(3) notification of residents in the area to be treated is provided by direct notification and through publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the affected area.

(f) For purposes of this subdivision, "direct notification" may include mailings, public meetings, posted placards, neighborhood newsletters, or other means of contact designed to reach as many residents as possible. Public meetings held to meet this requirement for adult mosquito control, under paragraph (d), must be held within each city or town where the pesticide treatments are to be made, at a time and location that is convenient for residents of the area where the treatments will occur.

(g) A person may not apply a pesticide in a manner so as to expose a worker in an immediately adjacent, open field.

(h) Notwithstanding that the application is done in a manner consistent with the label or labeling, it is a violation of this chapter to directly apply a pesticide to a site where an application has not been: (1) requested, ordered, contracted for, or permitted; or (2) performed pursuant to paragraph (c), clause (2), (3), or (4).

Subd. 3.Posting.

Sites being treated with pesticides through irrigation systems must be posted throughout the period of pesticide treatment. The posting must be done in accordance with labeling and rules adopted under this chapter.

Subd. 4.Pesticide storage safeguards.

A person may not allow a pesticide, rinsate, or unrinsed pesticide container to be stored, kept, or to remain in or on any site without safeguards adequate to prevent an incident. Pesticides may not be stored in an area with access to an open drain, unless a safeguard is provided.

Subd. 5.Use of water supplies for filling application equipment.

(a) A person may not fill pesticide application equipment directly from a public water supply, as defined in section 144.382, or from public waters, as defined in section 103G.005, subdivision 15, unless the equipment or water supply is equipped with a backflow prevention device that complies with the Minnesota Plumbing Code under Minnesota Rules, chapter 4714.

(b) Cross connections between a water supply used for filling pesticide application equipment are prohibited.

(c) This subdivision does not apply to permitted applications of aquatic pesticides to public waters.

Subd. 6.

[Repealed, 2013 c 114 art 2 s 69]

Subd. 7.Pesticide handling restrictions.

(a) A person may not:

(1) clean pesticide application equipment in surface waters of the state; or

(2) fill or clean pesticide application equipment adjacent to surface waters, ditches, or wells where, because of the slope or other conditions, pesticides or materials contaminated with pesticides could enter or contaminate the surface waters, groundwater, or wells, as a result of overflow, leakage, or other causes.

(b) This subdivision does not apply to permitted application of aquatic pesticides to public waters.

Subd. 8.Pesticide, rinsate, and container disposal.

A person may only dispose of pesticide, rinsate, and pesticide containers in accordance with this chapter and FIFRA. The manner of disposal must not cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

18B.075 PESTICIDE-TREATED SEED.

A person may not use, store, handle, distribute, or dispose of seed treated with pesticide in a manner that:

(1) endangers humans, food, livestock, fish, or wildlife; or

(2) will cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

18B.08 CHEMIGATION.

Subdivision 1.Permit required.

(a) A person may not apply pesticides through an irrigation system without a chemigation permit from the commissioner. A chemigation permit is required for one or more wells or other sources of irrigation water that are protected from contamination by devices as required by rule. The commissioner may allow irrigation to be used to apply pesticides on crops and land, including agricultural, nursery, turf, golf course, and greenhouse sites.

(b) A person must apply for a chemigation permit on forms prescribed by the commissioner.

Subd. 2.Pesticide.

A pesticide used under a chemigation permit must be suitable and labeled for application through an irrigation system.

Subd. 3.Equipment.

A chemigation system must be fitted with effective antisiphon devices or check valves that prevent the backflow of pesticides or pesticide-water mixtures into water supplies or other materials during times of irrigation system failure or equipment shutdown. The devices or valves must be installed between:

(1) the irrigation system pump or water source discharge and the point of pesticide injection; and

(2) the point of pesticide injection and the pesticide supply.

Subd. 4.Application fee.

A person applying for a chemigation permit must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $250. A person who holds a fertilizer chemigation permit under section 18C.205, is exempt from the fee in this subdivision.

Subd. 5.

[Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]

18B.09 PESTICIDE APPLICATION IN CITIES.

Subdivision 1.Applicability.

This section applies only to statutory and home rule charter cities that enact ordinances as provided in this section.

Subd. 2.Authority.

(a) Statutory and home rule charter cities may enact an ordinance, which may include penalty and enforcement provisions, containing the pesticide application warning information contained in subdivision 3. An ordinance may not be adopted that is more restrictive than the ordinance authorized by subdivision 3.

(b) Cities of the first class may enact an ordinance, which may include penalty and enforcement provisions, containing the pesticide prohibition contained in subdivision 4. An ordinance may not be adopted that is more restrictive than the ordinance authorized by subdivision 4.

Subd. 3.Warning signs for pesticide application.

(a) All commercial or noncommercial applicators who apply pesticides to turf areas must post or affix warning signs on the property where the pesticides are applied.

(b) Warning signs must project at least 18 inches above the top of the grass line. The warning signs must be of a material that is rain-resistant for at least a 48-hour period and must remain in place up to 48 hours from the time of initial application.

(c) The following information must be printed on the warning sign in contrasting colors and capitalized letters measuring at least one-half inch, or in another format approved by the commissioner. The sign must provide the following information:

(1) the name of the business organization, entity, or person applying the pesticide; and

(2) the following language: "This area chemically treated. Keep children and pets off until ...(date of safe entry)..." or a universally accepted symbol and text approved by the commissioner that is recognized as having the same meaning or intent as specified in this paragraph. The warning sign may include the name of the pesticide used.

(d) The warning sign must be posted on a lawn or yard between two feet and five feet from the sidewalk or street. For parks, golf courses, athletic fields, playgrounds, or other similar recreational property, the warning signs must be posted immediately adjacent to areas within the property where pesticides have been applied and at or near the entrances to the property.

Subd. 4.Application of certain pesticides prohibited.

(a) A person may not apply or use a pollinator-lethal pesticide within the geographic boundaries of a city that has enacted an ordinance under subdivision 2 prohibiting such use.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "pollinator-lethal pesticide" means a pesticide that has a pollinator protection box on the label or labeling or a pollinator, bee, or honey bee precautionary statement in the environmental hazards section of the label or labeling.

(c) This subdivision does not apply to:

(1) pet care products used to mitigate fleas, mites, ticks, heartworms, or other animals that are harmful to the health of a domesticated animal;

(2) personal care products used to mitigate lice and bedbugs;

(3) indoor pest control products used to mitigate insects indoors, including ant bait;

(4) pesticides as used or applied by the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District for public health protection if the pesticide includes vector species on the label;

(5) wood preservative pesticides used either within a sealed steel cylinder or inside an enclosed building at a secure facility by trained technicians and pesticide-treated wood products;

(6) pesticides used or applied to control or eradicate a noxious weed designated by the commissioner under section 18.79, subdivision 13; and

(7) pesticides used or applied on land used for agricultural production and located in an area zoned for agricultural use.

(d) The commissioner must maintain a list of pollinator-lethal pesticides on the department's website.

(e) The commissioner must consult with federal regulatory authorities to ensure this section and ordinances adopted under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), comply with federal law. A city of the first class must consult with the commissioner before adopting an ordinance under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), to ensure that the proposed ordinance complies with state law.

18B.091 PESTICIDES ON MEDICAL CANNABIS.

A person working on behalf of an approved medical cannabis manufacturer may apply minimum risk pesticide for growing medical cannabis as defined in section 152.22, subdivision 6, unless:

(1) the commissioner determines that the product label prohibits the use of minimum risk pesticide on medical cannabis;

(2) the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of health, determines that the continued use of minimum risk pesticide would cause unreasonable adverse effects on human health; or

(3) the commissioner determines that the continued use of minimum risk pesticide would cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

18B.095 PESTICIDE APPLICATION IN SCHOOLS.

Subdivision 1.Authorized applicators.

To the extent authorized under this chapter, application of a pesticide to the inside or outdoor property of a Minnesota kindergarten through 12th grade public school must be performed by a:

(1) structural pest control applicator;

(2) commercial or noncommercial pesticide applicator with appropriate use category certification; or

(3) school pest management coordinator or a school employee with school pest management knowledge.

Subd. 2.Exemption.

Pesticides determined by the commissioner to be sanitizers or disinfectants are exempt from subdivision 1.

Subd. 3.Registry and information.

The commissioner, in consultation with the Departments of Health; Administration; and Education; the University of Minnesota Extension Service; the Minnesota School Boards Association; and other persons as necessary and appropriate, must:

(1) establish and maintain a registry of school pest management coordinators; and

(2) provide information on a regular and periodic basis to school pest management coordinators on pest management techniques and programs, including model school policies; proper pesticide use, storage, handling, and disposal; and other relevant pesticide and pest management information.

18B.10 ACTION TO PREVENT GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION.

(a) The commissioner may, by rule, special order, or delegation through written regulatory agreement with officials of other approved agencies, take action necessary to prevent the contamination of groundwater resulting from leaching of pesticides through the soil, from the backsiphoning or backflowing of pesticides through water wells, or from the direct flowage of pesticides to groundwater.

(b) With owner consent, the commissioner may use private water wells throughout the state to monitor for the presence of agricultural pesticides and other industrial chemicals in groundwater. The specific locations and land owners shall not be identifiable. The owner or user of a private water well sampled by the commissioner must be given access to test results.

18B.11 SALE OR USE OF TCDD.

A person may not sell, offer for sale, or use a pesticide containing in excess of 0.1 parts per million of 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD).

History:

1987 c 358 s 53

18B.115 SALE OR USE OF CHLORDANE OR HEPTACHLOR.

The state, a state agency, a political subdivision of the state, a person, or other legal entity may not sell, use, or apply the pesticide chlordane or its derivative heptachlor within the state.

18B.12 SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ADULTERATED PESTICIDES.

A person may not offer for sale or distribute a pesticide that is determined by the commissioner to be adulterated, including a pesticide that has:

(1) a strength or purity that does not meet the standard of quality expressed on its label;

(2) a constituent entirely or partially substituted; or

(3) an important or necessary constituent entirely or partially removed.

History:

1987 c 358 s 54

18B.13 SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MISBRANDED PESTICIDES AND DEVICES.

A person may not offer for sale or distribute a pesticide or device determined by the commissioner to be misbranded, including a pesticide or device that:

(1) is an imitation of or is offered for sale under the name of another pesticide or device; or

(2) does not comply with the labeling requirements under this chapter or FIFRA.

History:

1987 c 358 s 55

18B.135 SALE OF PESTICIDES IN RETURNABLE CONTAINERS AND MANAGEMENT OF UNUSED PORTIONS.

Subdivision 1.Acceptance of pesticide containers.

(a) A person distributing, offering for sale, or selling a pesticide must accept empty pesticide containers from a pesticide end user if:

(1) the person does not participate in a designated collection program for pesticide containers after July 1, 1994;

(2) the empty container is prepared for disposal in accordance with label instructions and is returned to the place of purchase within the state; and

(3) a collection site that is seasonably accessible on multiple days has not been designated either by the county board or by agreement with other counties, the agricultural chemical dealer(s) in their respective counties, or the commissioner for the public to return empty pesticide containers for the purpose of reuse or recycling or following other approved management practices for pesticide containers in the order of preference established in section 115A.02, paragraph (b), and the county or counties have notified the commissioner of their intentions annually by February 1, in writing, to manage the empty pesticide containers.

(b) This subdivision does not prohibit the use of refillable and reusable pesticide containers.

(c) A person who has been notified by the county or counties of the designated collection site and who sells pesticides to a pesticide end user must notify purchasers of pesticides at the time of sale of the date and location designated for disposal of empty containers.

(d) For purposes of this section, pesticide containers do not include containers that have held sanitizers and disinfectants, containers made of metal or paper, plastic bags, bag-in-a-box, water soluble bags, and aerosol packaging, pesticides labeled primarily for use on humans or pets, or pesticides not requiring dilution or mixing.

Subd. 2.Rules.

The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section, including procedures and standards prescribing the exemption of certain pesticide products and pesticide containers.

18B.14 PESTICIDE STORAGE.

Subdivision 1.Display and storage.

(a) A person may store or display pesticides and their containers only in the original container and separated from food, feed, seed, livestock remedies, drugs, plants, and other products or materials stored, displayed, or offered for sale in a manner that prevents contamination which would cause injury or damage to the other products or materials.

(b) A person may not allow open pesticide containers to be displayed for sale under any circumstances.

Subd. 2.Bulk pesticide storage.

(a) A person storing pesticides in containers of a rated capacity of 500 gallons or more for more than ten consecutive days at a bulk pesticide storage facility must obtain a pesticide storage permit from the commissioner as required by rule.

(b) Applications must be on forms provided by the commissioner containing information established by rule. The initial application for a permit must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $100 for each location where the pesticides are stored. An application for a facility that includes both fertilizers as regulated under chapter 18C and bulk pesticides as regulated under this chapter shall pay only one application fee of $100.

(c) The commissioner shall by rule develop and implement a program to regulate bulk pesticides. The rules must include installation of secondary containment devices, storage site security, safeguards, notification of storage site locations, criteria for permit approval, a schedule for compliance, and other appropriate requirements necessary to minimize potential adverse effects on the environment. The rules must conform with existing rules of the Pollution Control Agency.

(d) A person must obtain a permit from the commissioner on forms provided by the commissioner before the person constructs or substantially alters a bulk pesticide storage facility. If an application is incomplete, the commissioner must notify the applicant as soon as possible. The permit must be acted upon within 30 days after receiving a completed application.

(e) An application to substantially alter a facility must be accompanied by a $50 fee. An application for a facility that includes both fertilizers regulated under chapter 18C and bulk pesticides regulated under this chapter shall pay only one application fee of $50.

(f) An additional fee of $250 must be paid by a person who begins construction of or substantially alters a bulk agricultural chemical storage facility before a permit is issued by the commissioner, except that the $250 additional fee may not be assessed if the person submits a permit application with the required fee to the commissioner before completing the construction or substantial alteration.

18B.15 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.16 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]

18B.17 COOPERATIVE INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENTS.

Subdivision 1.Cooperative agreements.

The commissioner may enter into cooperative agreements with federal and state agencies for training, certification, inspection, and enforcement programs and may make reports to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies as required or requested. The commissioner may adopt and enforce federal standards, regulations, or orders relating to pesticide regulation when determined to be in the best interest of citizens of the state.

Subd. 2.Training agreements.

For purposes of training only, the commissioner may enter into agreements with qualified public or private organizations that wish to offer training programs.

History:

1987 c 358 s 59

18B.18 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.19 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.20 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.21 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.22 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]
18B.23 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]

18B.24 UNSATISFIED JUDGMENTS.

(a) An applicant for a commercial, noncommercial, or structural pest control license and a commercial, noncommercial, or structural pest control applicator may not allow a final judgment against the applicant or applicator for damages arising from a violation of a provision of this chapter to remain unsatisfied for a period of more than 30 days.

(b) Failure to satisfy within 30 days a final judgment resulting from these pest control activities will result in automatic suspension of the applicator license.

History:

1987 c 358 s 66

18B.25 [Repealed, 1989 c 326 art 5 s 53]

18B.26 PESTICIDE REGISTRATION.

Subdivision 1.Requirement.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) to (e), a person may not use or distribute a pesticide in this state unless it is registered with the commissioner. Pesticide registrations expire on December 31 of each year and may be renewed on or before that date for the following calendar year.

(b) Registration is not required if a pesticide is shipped from one plant or warehouse to another plant or warehouse operated by the same person and used solely at the plant or warehouse as an ingredient in the formulation of a pesticide that is registered under this chapter.

(c) An unregistered pesticide that was previously registered with the commissioner may be used for a period of two years following the cancellation of the registration of the pesticide, unless the commissioner determines that the continued use of the pesticide would cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment, or with the written permission of the commissioner. To use the unregistered pesticide at any time after the two-year period, the pesticide end user must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commissioner, if requested, that the pesticide has been continuously registered under a different brand name or by a different manufacturer and has similar composition, or, the pesticide end user obtains the written permission of the commissioner.

(d) The commissioner may allow specific pesticide products that are not registered with the commissioner to be distributed in this state for use in another state.

(e) A substance or mixture of substances being tested only to determine its potential efficacy as a pesticide, or to determine its toxicity or other properties, and not requiring the issuance of an experimental use permit under United States Environmental Protection Agency criteria specified in federal regulations, is not required to be registered.

(f) Each pesticide with a unique United States Environmental Protection Agency pesticide registration number or a unique brand name must be registered with the commissioner.

(g) It is unlawful for a person to distribute or use a pesticide in the state, or to sell into the state for use in the state, any pesticide product that has not been registered by the commissioner and for which the applicable pesticide registration application fee, gross sales fee, or waste pesticide program surcharge is not paid pursuant to subdivisions 3 and 4.

(h) Every person who sells for use in the state a pesticide product that has been registered by the commissioner shall pay to the commissioner the applicable registration application fees, sales fees, and waste pesticide program surcharges. These sales expressly include all sales made electronically, telephonically, or by any other means that result in a pesticide product being shipped to or used in the state. There is a rebuttable presumption that pesticide products that are sold or distributed in or into the state by any person are sold or distributed for use in the state.

Subd. 2.Application.

(a) A person must file an application for registration with the commissioner. The application must include:

(1) the name and address of the applicant and the name and address of the person whose name will appear on the label, if other than the applicant;

(2) the brand name of the pesticide;

(3) other necessary information required by the registration application form;

(4) a true and complete copy of the labeling accompanying the pesticide as provided for in FIFRA; and

(5) current material safety data sheets for each pesticide.

(b) As part of the application, the commissioner may require the submission of any relevant information including the complete formula of a pesticide, including the active and inert ingredients. The commissioner may also require the registrant to supply analytical standards and methods for the pesticide, pesticide breakdown products, or metabolites.

Subd. 3.Registration application and gross sales fee.

(a) For an agricultural pesticide, a registrant shall pay an annual registration application fee for each agricultural pesticide of $350. The fee is due by December 31 preceding the year for which the application for registration is made. The fee is nonrefundable.

(b) For a nonagricultural pesticide, a registrant shall pay a minimum annual registration application fee for each nonagricultural pesticide of $350. The fee is due by December 31 preceding the year for which the application for registration is made. The fee is nonrefundable. If the registrant's annual gross sales of the nonagricultural pesticide exceeded $70,000 in the previous calendar year, the registrant shall pay, in addition to the $350 minimum fee, a fee equal to 0.5 percent of that portion of the annual gross sales over $70,000. For purposes of this subdivision, gross sales includes both nonagricultural pesticide sold in the state and nonagricultural pesticide sold into the state for use in this state. No additional fee is required if the fee due amount based on percent of annual gross sales of a nonagricultural pesticide is less than $10. The registrant shall secure sufficient sales information of nonagricultural pesticides distributed into this state from distributors and dealers, regardless of distributor location, to make a determination. Sales of nonagricultural pesticides in this state and sales of nonagricultural pesticides for use in this state by out-of-state distributors are not exempt and must be included in the registrant's annual report, as required under paragraph (g), and fees shall be paid by the registrant based upon those reported sales. Sales of nonagricultural pesticides in the state for use outside of the state are exempt from the gross sales fee in this paragraph if the registrant properly documents the sale location and distributors. A registrant paying more than the minimum fee shall pay the balance due by March 1 based on the gross sales of the nonagricultural pesticide by the registrant for the preceding calendar year. A pesticide determined by the commissioner to be a sanitizer or disinfectant is exempt from the gross sales fee.

(c) For agricultural pesticides, a licensed agricultural pesticide dealer or licensed pesticide dealer shall pay a gross sales fee of 0.55 percent of annual gross sales of the agricultural pesticide in the state and the annual gross sales of the agricultural pesticide sold into the state for use in this state.

(d) In those cases where a registrant first sells an agricultural pesticide in or into the state to a pesticide end user, the registrant must first obtain an agricultural pesticide dealer license and is responsible for payment of the annual gross sales fee under paragraph (c), record keeping under paragraph (i), and all other requirements of section 18B.316.

(e) If the total annual revenue from fees collected in fiscal year 2011, 2012, or 2013, by the commissioner on the registration and sale of pesticides is less than $6,600,000, the commissioner, after a public hearing, may increase proportionally the pesticide sales and product registration fees under this chapter by the amount necessary to ensure this level of revenue is achieved. The authority under this section expires on June 30, 2014. The commissioner shall report any fee increases under this paragraph 60 days before the fee change is effective to the senate and house of representatives agriculture budget divisions.

(f) An additional fee of 50 percent of the registration application fee must be paid by the applicant for each pesticide to be registered if the application is a renewal application that is submitted after December 31.

(g) A registrant must annually report to the commissioner the amount, type and annual gross sales of each registered nonagricultural pesticide sold, offered for sale, or otherwise distributed in the state. The report shall be filed by March 1 for the previous year's registration. The commissioner shall specify the form of the report or approve the method for submittal of the report and may require additional information deemed necessary to determine the amount and type of nonagricultural pesticide annually distributed in the state. The information required shall include the brand name, United States Environmental Protection Agency registration number, and amount of each nonagricultural pesticide sold, offered for sale, or otherwise distributed in the state, but the information collected, if made public, shall be reported in a manner which does not identify a specific brand name in the report.

(h) A licensed agricultural pesticide dealer or licensed pesticide dealer must annually report to the commissioner the amount, type, and annual gross sales of each registered agricultural pesticide sold, offered for sale, or otherwise distributed in the state or into the state for use in the state. The report must be filed by January 31 for the previous year's sales. The commissioner shall specify the form, contents, and approved electronic method for submittal of the report and may require additional information deemed necessary to determine the amount and type of agricultural pesticide annually distributed within the state or into the state. The information required must include the brand name, United States Environmental Protection Agency registration number, and amount of each agricultural pesticide sold, offered for sale, or otherwise distributed in the state or into the state.

(i) A person who registers a pesticide with the commissioner under paragraph (b), or a registrant under paragraph (d), shall keep accurate records for five years detailing all distribution or sales transactions into the state or in the state and subject to a fee and surcharge under this section.

(j) The records are subject to inspection, copying, and audit by the commissioner and must clearly demonstrate proof of payment of all applicable fees and surcharges for each registered pesticide product sold for use in this state. A person who is located outside of this state must maintain and make available records required by this subdivision in this state or pay all costs incurred by the commissioner in the inspecting, copying, or auditing of the records.

(k) The commissioner may adopt by rule regulations that require persons subject to audit under this section to provide information determined by the commissioner to be necessary to enable the commissioner to perform the audit.

(l) A registrant who is required to pay more than the minimum fee for any pesticide under paragraph (b) must pay a late fee penalty of $100 for each pesticide application fee paid after March 1 in the year for which the license is to be issued.

Subd. 4.Effect of registration after renewal application.

If a registration is in effect on December 31 and a renewal application has been made and the application fee paid, the registration continues in full force and effect until the commissioner notifies the applicant that the registration is denied or canceled, or the renewed registration expires.

Subd. 5.Review and registration.

(a) The commissioner may not deny the registration of a pesticide because the commissioner determines the pesticide is not essential.

(b) The commissioner shall review each application and may approve, deny, or cancel the registration of any pesticide. The commissioner may impose state use and distribution restrictions on a pesticide as part of the registration to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

(c) The commissioner must notify the applicant of the approval, denial, cancellation, state use or distribution restrictions.

(d) The applicant may request a hearing on any adverse action of the commissioner within 30 days after being notified.

(e) The commissioner may exempt pesticides that have been deregulated or classified as minimum risk by the United States Environmental Protection Agency from the requirement of registration.

Subd. 6.Discontinuance or cancellation of registration.

(a) To ensure the complete withdrawal from distribution or further use of a pesticide, a person who intends to discontinue a pesticide registration must:

(1) terminate a further distribution within the state and continue to register the pesticide annually for two successive years; and

(2) initiate and complete a total recall of the pesticide from all distribution in the state within 60 days from the date of notification to the commissioner of intent to discontinue registration.

(b) Upon the request of a registrant, the commissioner may immediately cancel registration of a pesticide product. The commissioner may immediately cancel registration of a pesticide product at the commissioner's discretion. When requesting that the commissioner immediately cancel registration of a pesticide product, a registrant must provide the commissioner with:

(1) a statement that the pesticide product is no longer in distribution; and

(2) documentation of pesticide gross sales from the previous year supporting the statement under clause (1).

Subd. 7.Notification required; waivers and extensions.

(a) Beginning January 1, 2026, a pesticide registrant must annually provide a statement that a product contains no intentionally added PFAS or, for products that contain intentionally added PFAS, a pesticide registrant must submit to the commissioner the following information:

(1) the name and purpose for which PFAS are used in the pesticide, including in any product components;

(2) the amount of each PFAS in the product, identified by its name, chemical structure, analytical methods, chemical abstracts service registry number, or other unique method approved by the commissioner; and

(3) any additional information required by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner may waive all or part of the notification requirement under paragraph (a) if the commissioner determines that substantially equivalent information is available. The commissioner may extend the deadline for the submission of the information required under paragraph (a) if the commissioner determines that more time is needed by the registrant to comply with the submission requirement.

Subd. 8.PFAS prohibitions.

(a) Beginning January 1, 2026, the commissioner may not register a cleaning product if the product contains intentionally added PFAS unless the commissioner determines that the use of PFAS is a currently unavoidable use.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2032, the commissioner may not register a pesticide product that contains intentionally added PFAS unless the commissioner determines that the use of PFAS is a currently unavoidable use.

18B.27 PESTICIDE REGISTRATION FOR SPECIAL LOCAL NEEDS.

Subdivision 1.Application.

(a) A person must file an application for a special local need application with the commissioner. The application must meet the requirements of section 18B.26, subdivision 2, and the commissioner may require other relevant information.

(b) The commissioner may require a full description of tests and test results upon which claims are based for:

(1) a pesticide use that is not registered under section 18B.26 or FIFRA; or

(2) a pesticide on which restrictions are being considered.

(c) The applicant may request in writing privacy of information submitted as provided in section 18B.38.

Subd. 2.Application review.

(a) After reviewing the application accompanied by the application fee, the commissioner shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the authorization by the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency to register pesticides to meet special local needs, register pesticides if the commissioner determines that:

(1) the pesticide's composition warrants the proposed claims for the pesticide;

(2) the pesticide's label and other material required to be submitted comply with this chapter;

(3) the pesticide will perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effect on the environment;

(4) the pesticide will not generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment when used in accordance with label directions; and

(5) a special local need for the pesticide exists.

(b) The commissioner may revoke or modify a special local need registration if the commissioner determines that the terms or conditions of the registration do not comply with paragraph (a).

Subd. 3.Application fee.

An application fee for a special local need registration must be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $150.

18B.28 EXPERIMENTAL USE PESTICIDE PRODUCT REGISTRATION.

Subdivision 1.Requirement.

A person may not use or distribute an experimental use pesticide product in the state until it is registered with the commissioner. Experimental use pesticide product registrations expire on December 31 of each year and may be renewed on or before that date. A substance or mixture of substances being tested only to determine its potential efficacy as a pesticide, or to determine its toxicity or other properties, and not requiring the issuance of an experimental use permit under United States Environmental Protection Agency criteria specified in federal regulations, is not required to be registered.

Subd. 2.Application review and registration.

(a) After reviewing the application accompanied by the application fee, the commissioner may issue an experimental use pesticide product registration if the commissioner determines that the applicant needs the registration to accumulate information necessary to register a pesticide under section 18B.26. The commissioner may prescribe terms, conditions, and a limited period of time for the experimental use product registration. After an experimental use pesticide product registration is issued, the commissioner may revoke or modify the registration at any time if the commissioner finds that its terms or conditions are being violated or are inadequate to avoid unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

(b) The commissioner may deny issuance of an experimental use pesticide product registration permit if the commissioner determines that issuance of a registration is not warranted or that the use to be made of the pesticide under the proposed terms and conditions may cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

Subd. 3.Application.

A person must file an application for experimental use pesticide product registration with the commissioner. An application to register an experimental use pesticide product must include:

(1) the name and address of the applicant;

(2) a copy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency permit;

(3) a description of the purpose or objectives of the experimental use;

(4) a copy of the experimental use pesticide labeling accepted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency;

(5) the name, address, and telephone number of cooperators or participants in this state;

(6) the amount of material to be shipped or used in this state;

(7) information about any intentionally added PFAS in the product, including PFAS ingredients, amount, chemical structure, analytical methods, and purposes for which PFAS are used in the product, including in any product components; and

(8) other information requested by the commissioner.

Subd. 4.Application fee.

(a) An application for registration of an experimental use pesticide product must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $150.

(b) An additional fee of $200 must be paid by the applicant for each pesticide distributed or used in the state before an initial experimental use pesticide product registration was issued for the pesticide.

Subd. 5.Advisory panel.

Before approving the issuance of an experimental use pesticide product registration under this section, the commissioner must convene and consider the advice of a panel of outside scientific and health experts. The panel must include but is not limited to representatives of the Department of Health, the Department of Natural Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, and the University of Minnesota.

18B.285 [Repealed, 2017 c 88 art 2 s 93]

18B.29 RECIPROCAL LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION AGREEMENTS.

The commissioner may waive all or part of the examination requirements provided for in sections 18B.29 to 18B.35 on a reciprocal basis with any other jurisdiction which has substantially the same requirements. Licenses or certificates issued under sections 18B.29 to 18B.35 may be suspended or revoked upon suspension or revocation of the license or certificate of another jurisdiction supporting the issuance of a Minnesota license or certificate and in the same manner as other licenses and certificates.

History:

1987 c 358 s 71

18B.30 PESTICIDE USE LICENSE REQUIREMENT; INTERNET SALES PROHIBITED; RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDES.

(a) A person may not use a restricted use pesticide without a license or certification required under sections 18B.29 to 18B.35 and the use may only be done under conditions prescribed by the commissioner.

(b) A person shall not sell any pesticide labeled for restricted use over an Internet website to a Minnesota resident who is not a licensed or certified pesticide applicator. A person selling a pesticide labeled for restricted use over an Internet website to a Minnesota resident must verify that the purchaser is a licensed or certified pesticide applicator under sections 18B.29 to 18B.35.

18B.305 PESTICIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

Subdivision 1.Education and training.

(a) The commissioner, as the lead agency, shall develop, implement or approve, and evaluate, in consultation with University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and other educational institutions, innovative educational and training programs addressing pesticide concerns including:

(1) water quality protection;

(2) endangered species protection;

(3) minimizing pesticide residues in food and water;

(4) worker protection and applicator safety;

(5) chronic toxicity;

(6) integrated pest management and pest resistance;

(7) pesticide disposal;

(8) pesticide drift;

(9) relevant laws including pesticide labels and labeling and state and federal rules and regulations;

(10) current science and technology updates; and

(11) thresholds and guidance to reduce the impacts of insecticide on pollinators.

(b) The commissioner shall appoint educational planning committees which must include representatives of industry and applicators.

(c) Specific current regulatory concerns must be discussed and, if appropriate, incorporated into each training session. Relevant changes to pesticide product labels or labeling or state and federal rules and regulations may be included.

(d) The commissioner may approve programs from private industry, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that meet minimum requirements for education, training, and certification.

Subd. 2.Training manual and examination development.

The commissioner, in consultation with University of Minnesota Extension and other higher education institutions, shall continually revise and update pesticide applicator training manuals and examinations. The manuals and examinations must be written to meet or exceed the minimum competency standards required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and pertinent state specific information. Pesticide applicator training manuals and examinations must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171. Competency standards for training manuals and examinations must be published on the Department of Agriculture website. Questions in the examinations must be determined by the commissioner in consultation with other responsible agencies. Manuals and examinations must include pesticide management practices that discuss prevention of pesticide occurrence in groundwater and surface water of the state, and economic thresholds and guidance for insecticide use.

Subd. 3.

[Repealed, 2007 c 133 art 2 s 13]

18B.31 PESTICIDE DEALER LICENSE.

Subdivision 1.Requirement.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), no fixed location may offer for sale or sell a restricted use or bulk pesticide to a pesticide end user without a pesticide dealer license.

(b) A pesticide dealer license is not required for:

(1) a licensed commercial applicator, noncommercial applicator, or structural pest control applicator who uses restricted use pesticides only as an integral part of a pesticide application service;

(2) a federal, state, county, or municipal agency using restricted use pesticides for its own programs;

(3) a licensed pharmacist, physician, dentist, or veterinarian when administering or dispensing a restricted use pesticide for use in the pharmacist's, physician's, dentist's, or veterinarian's practice; or

(4) a person at a fixed location that is not used to offer for sale or sell restricted use or bulk pesticides including, but not limited to, warehouses or other storage sites.

(c) A licensed pesticide dealer may sell restricted use pesticides only to an applicator licensed or certified by the commissioner, unless a sale is allowed by rule.

(d) A pesticide dealer license is required for an individual not located in Minnesota who offers for sale or sells a restricted use or bulk pesticide to a pesticide end user located in Minnesota.

(e) Only one pesticide dealer license is required per fixed location from which a restricted use or bulk pesticide is offered for sale or sold to a pesticide end user.

Subd. 2.Responsibility.

A pesticide dealer is responsible for the acts of a person who assists the dealer in the solicitation and sale of restricted use pesticides.

Subd. 3.License.

A pesticide dealer license:

(1) is issued by the commissioner upon receipt and review of a complete initial or renewal application;

(2) is valid for one year and expires on January 31 of each year unless it is suspended or revoked before that date;

(3) is not transferable to another location; and

(4) must be prominently displayed to the public in the pesticide dealer's place of business.

Subd. 4.Application.

(a) A person must apply to the commissioner for a pesticide dealer license on the forms and in the manner required by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner may require an additional demonstration of dealer qualification if the dealer has had a license suspended or revoked, or has otherwise had a history of violations of this chapter.

(c) An application for renewal of a pesticide dealer license is not complete until the commissioner receives the report and applicable fees required under section 18B.316, subdivision 8.

Subd. 5.Application fee.

(a) An application for a pesticide dealer license must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $150.

(b) If an application for renewal of a pesticide dealer license is not filed before the license expires, an additional fee of 50 percent of the application fee must be paid by the applicant before the commissioner may issue the license.

18B.315 [Repealed, 2007 c 45 art 1 s 66]

18B.316 AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE DEALER LICENSE AND REPORTING.

Subdivision 1.Requirement.

(a) A person must not offer for sale or sell an agricultural pesticide in the state or into the state without first obtaining an agricultural pesticide dealer license.

(b) Each location or place of business from which an agricultural pesticide is offered for sale or sold in the state or into the state is required to have a separate agricultural pesticide dealer license.

(c) A person who is a licensed pesticide dealer under section 18B.31 is not required to also be licensed under this subdivision.

Subd. 2.Exemption.

A person who is a pesticide registrant under provisions of this chapter is exempt from the requirement of subdivision 1, except in those cases where a registrant first sells an agricultural pesticide in or into the state to a pesticide end user, the registrant must first obtain an agricultural pesticide dealer license.

Subd. 3.Resident agent.

A person required to be licensed under subdivisions 1 and 2, or a person licensed as a pesticide dealer pursuant to section 18B.31 and who operates from a location or place of business outside the state and who offers for sale or sells an agricultural pesticide into the state, must continuously maintain in this state the following:

(1) a registered office; and

(2) a registered agent, who may be either a resident of this state whose business office or residence is identical with the registered office under clause (1), a domestic corporation or limited liability company, or a foreign corporation of limited liability company authorized to transact business in this state and having a business office identical with the registered office.

A person licensed under this section or section 18B.31 shall annually file with the commissioner, either at the time of initial licensing or as part of license renewal, the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the licensee's registered agent.

For licensees under section 18B.31 who are located in the state, the licensee is the registered agent.

Subd. 4.Responsibility.

The resident agent is responsible for the acts of a licensed agricultural pesticide dealer, or of a licensed pesticide dealer under section 18B.31 who operates from a location or place of business outside the state and who offers for sale or sells an agricultural pesticide into the state, as well as the acts of the employees of those licensees.

Subd. 5.Records.

A person licensed as an agricultural pesticide dealer, or a person licensed as a pesticide dealer pursuant to section 18B.31, must maintain for five years at the person's principal place of business accurate records of purchases, sales, and distributions of agricultural pesticides in and into this state, including those of its branch locations. The records shall be made available for audit under provisions of this chapter and chapter 18D.

Subd. 6.Agricultural pesticide sales invoices.

(a) Sales invoices for agricultural pesticides sold in or into this state by a licensed agricultural pesticide dealer or a pesticide dealer under this section must show the percent of gross sales fee rate assessed and the gross sales fee paid under section 18B.26, subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

(b) A licensed agricultural pesticide dealer or a pesticide dealer may request an exemption from paragraph (a). The request for exemption must be in writing to the commissioner and must include verifiable information to justify that compliance with paragraph (a) is an extreme business hardship for the licensed agricultural pesticide dealer or pesticide dealer. The commissioner may approve or reject a request for exemption based upon review of the submitted information. An approved exemption under this paragraph is valid for one calendar year. The commissioner must maintain a list of those licensed agricultural pesticide dealers or pesticide dealers that have been granted an exemption on the department's website.

(c) A licensed agricultural pesticide dealer or a pesticide dealer issued an exemption under paragraph (b) must include the following statement on each sales invoice for any sale of an agricultural pesticide: "Minnesota Department of Agriculture Annual Gross Sales Fees of 0.55% have been Assessed and Paid on the Sale of an Agricultural Pesticide."

(d) Only the person who actually will pay the gross sales fee may show the rate or the amount of the fee as a line item on the sales invoice.

Subd. 7.License.

An agricultural pesticide dealer license:

(1) is issued by the commissioner upon receipt and review of a complete initial or renewal application;

(2) is valid for one year and expires on January 31 of each year;

(3) is not transferable from one location or place of business to another location or place of business; and

(4) must be prominently displayed to the public in the agricultural pesticide dealer's place of business and in the registered office of the resident agent.

Subd. 8.Report of sales and payment to commissioner.

A person who is an agricultural pesticide dealer, or is a licensed pesticide dealer under section 18B.31, who offers for sale or sells an agricultural pesticide in or into the state, and a pesticide registrant pursuant to section 18B.26, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), shall no later than January 31 of each year report and pay applicable fees on annual gross sales of agricultural pesticides to the commissioner pursuant to requirements under section 18B.26, subdivision 3, paragraphs (c) and (h).

Subd. 9.Application.

(a) A person must apply to the commissioner for an agricultural pesticide dealer license on forms and in a manner approved by the commissioner.

(b) The applicant must be the person in charge of each location or place of business from which agricultural pesticides are offered for sale or sold in or into the state.

(c) The commissioner may require that the applicant provide information regarding the applicant's proposed operations and other information considered pertinent by the commissioner.

(d) The commissioner may require additional demonstration of licensee qualification if the licensee has had a license suspended or revoked, or has otherwise had a history of violations in another state or violations of this chapter.

(e) A licensed agricultural pesticide dealer who changes the dealer's address or place of business must immediately notify the commissioner of the change.

(f) Beginning January 1, 2011, an application for renewal of an agricultural pesticide dealer license is complete only when a report and any applicable payment of fees under subdivision 8 are received by the commissioner.

Subd. 10.Application fee.

(a) An application for an agricultural pesticide dealer license, or a renewal of an agricultural pesticide dealer license, must be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $150.

(b) If an application for renewal of an agricultural pesticide dealer license is not filed before the license expires, an additional fee of 50 percent of the application fee must be paid by the applicant before the commissioner may issue the license.

18B.32 STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL LICENSE.

Subdivision 1.Requirement.

(a) A person may not engage in structural pest control applications:

(1) for hire without a structural pest control license;

(2) as a sole proprietorship, company, partnership, or corporation unless the person is or employs a licensed master in structural pest control operations; and

(3) unless the person is 18 years of age or older.

(b) A structural pest control licensee must have a valid license identification card to purchase a restricted use pesticide or apply pesticides for hire and must display it upon demand by an authorized representative of the commissioner or a law enforcement officer. The license identification card must contain information required by the commissioner.

Subd. 2.Licenses.

(a) A structural pest control license:

(1) expires on December 31 of the year for which the license is issued;

(2) is not transferable; and

(3) must be prominently displayed to the public in the structural pest controller's place of business.

(b) The commissioner shall establish categories of master, journeyman, and fumigator for a person to be licensed under a structural pest control license.

Subd. 3.Application.

(a) A person must apply to the commissioner for a structural pest control license on forms and in the manner required by the commissioner. The commissioner shall require the applicant to pass a written, closed-book, monitored examination or oral examination, or both. The commissioner shall establish the examination procedure, including the phases and contents of the examination.

(b) The commissioner may license a person as a master under a structural pest control license if the person has the necessary qualifications through knowledge and experience to properly plan, determine, and supervise the selection and application of pesticides in structural pest control. To demonstrate the qualifications and become licensed as a master under a structural pest control license, a person must:

(1) pass a closed-book test administered by the commissioner;

(2) have direct experience as a licensed journeyman under a structural pest control license for at least two years by this state or a state with equivalent certification requirements or as a full-time licensed master in another state with equivalent certification requirements; and

(3) show practical knowledge and field experience under clause (2) in the actual selection and application of pesticides under varying conditions.

(c) The commissioner may license a person as a journeyman under a structural pest control license if the person:

(1) has the necessary qualifications in the practical selection and application of pesticides;

(2) has passed a closed-book examination given by the commissioner; and

(3) is engaged as an employee of or is working under the direction of a person licensed as a master under a structural pest control license.

(d) The commissioner may license a person as a fumigator under a structural pest control license if the person:

(1) has knowledge of the practical selection and application of fumigants;

(2) has passed a closed-book examination given by the commissioner; and

(3) is licensed by the commissioner as a master or journeyman under a structural pest control license.

Subd. 4.Renewal.

(a) An applicator may apply to renew a structural pest control applicator license on or before the expiration of an existing license subject to reexamination, attendance at a recertification workshop approved by the commissioner, or other requirements imposed by the commissioner to provide the applicator with information regarding changing technology and to help assure a continuing level of competency and ability to use pesticides safely and properly. A recertification workshop must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171. Competency standards for a recertification workshop must be published on the Department of Agriculture website. If the commissioner requires an applicator to attend a recertification workshop and the applicator fails to attend the workshop, the commissioner may require the applicator to pass a reexamination. The commissioner may require an additional demonstration of applicator qualification if the applicator has had a license suspended or revoked or has otherwise had a history of violations of this chapter.

(b) If an applicator fails to renew a structural pest control license within three months of its expiration, the applicator must obtain a structural pest control license subject to the requirements, procedures, and fees required for an initial license.

Subd. 5.Financial responsibility.

(a) The commissioner may suspend or revoke a structural pest control license if an applicator fails to provide proof of financial responsibility upon the commissioner's request. Financial responsibility may be demonstrated by:

(1) proof of net assets equal to or greater than $50,000; or

(2) a performance bond or insurance of a kind and in an amount determined by the commissioner.

(b) The bond or insurance must cover a period of time at least equal to the term of the applicator's license. The commissioner must immediately suspend the license of an applicator who fails to maintain the required bond or insurance. The performance bond or insurance policy must contain a provision requiring the insurance or bonding company to notify the commissioner by ten days before the effective date of cancellation, termination, or any other change of the bond or insurance. If there is recovery against the bond or insurance, additional coverage must be secured by the applicator to maintain financial responsibility equal to the original amount required.

(c) An employee of a licensed person is not required to maintain an insurance policy or bond during the time the employer is maintaining the required insurance or bond.

(d) Applications for reinstatement of a license suspended under the provisions of this section must be accompanied by proof of satisfaction of judgments previously rendered.

Subd. 6.Fees.

(a) An applicant for a structural pest control license for a business must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $200. An employee of a licensed business must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $50 for an individual structural pest control license.

(b) An application received after expiration of the structural pest control license is subject to a penalty fee of 50 percent of the application fee.

(c) An applicant that meets renewal requirements by reexamination instead of attending workshops must pay the equivalent workshop fee for the reexamination as determined by the commissioner.

18B.33 COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR LICENSE.

Subdivision 1.Requirement.

(a) A person may not apply a pesticide for hire without a commercial applicator license for the appropriate use categories or a structural pest control license.

(b) A commercial applicator licensee must have a valid license identification card to purchase a restricted use pesticide or apply pesticides for hire and must display it upon demand by an authorized representative of the commissioner or a law enforcement officer. The commissioner shall prescribe the information required on the license identification card.

(c) A person licensed under this section is considered qualified and is not required to verify, document, or otherwise prove a particular need prior to use, except as required by the federal label.

(d) A person who uses a general-use sanitizer or disinfectant for hire in response to COVID-19 is exempt from the commercial applicator license requirements under this section.

(e) A person licensed under this section must be 18 years of age or older.

Subd. 2.Responsibility.

A person required to be licensed under this section who performs pesticide applications for hire or who employs a licensed applicator to perform pesticide application for pro rata compensation is responsible for proper application of the pesticide or device.

Subd. 3.License.

A commercial applicator license:

(1) expires on December 31 of the year for which it is issued, unless suspended or revoked before that date;

(2) is not transferable to another person; and

(3) must be prominently displayed to the public in the commercial applicator's place of business.

Subd. 4.Application.

(a) A person must apply to the commissioner for a commercial applicator license on forms and in the manner required by the commissioner. The commissioner must prescribe and administer a closed-book, monitored examination, or equivalent measure to determine if the applicant is eligible for the commercial applicator license.

(b) Aerial applicators must also fulfill applicable requirements in chapter 360.

Subd. 5.Renewal application.

(a) An applicator must apply to the commissioner to renew a commercial applicator license. The commissioner may renew a commercial applicator license accompanied by the application fee, subject to reexamination, attendance at a recertification workshop approved by the commissioner, or other requirements imposed by the commissioner to provide the applicator with information regarding changing technology and to help assure a continuing level of competence and ability to use pesticides safely and properly. A recertification workshop must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171. Competency standards for a recertification workshop must be published on the Department of Agriculture website. Upon the receipt of an applicator's renewal application, the commissioner may require the applicator to attend a recertification workshop. Depending on the application category, the commissioner may require an applicator to complete a recertification workshop once per year, once every two years, or once every three years. If the commissioner requires an applicator to attend a recertification workshop and the applicator fails to attend the workshop, the commissioner may require the applicator to pass a reexamination. An applicator may renew a commercial applicator license within 12 months after expiration of the license without having to meet initial testing requirements. The commissioner may require an additional demonstration of applicator qualification if the applicator has had a license suspended or revoked or has had a history of violations of this chapter.

(b) An applicator that meets renewal requirements by reexamination instead of attending a recertification workshop must pay the equivalent workshop fee for the reexamination as determined by the commissioner.

Subd. 6.Financial responsibility.

(a) The commissioner may suspend or revoke an applicator's commercial applicator license if the applicator fails to provide proof of financial responsibility upon the commissioner's request. Financial responsibility may be demonstrated by: (1) proof of net assets equal to or greater than $50,000; or (2) by a performance bond or insurance of the kind and in an amount determined by the commissioner.

(b) The bond or insurance must cover a period of time at least equal to the term of the applicator's license. The commissioner must immediately suspend the license of an applicator who fails to maintain the required bond or insurance. The performance bond or insurance policy must contain a provision requiring the insurance or bonding company to notify the commissioner by ten days before the effective date of cancellation, termination, or any other change of the bond or insurance. If there is recovery against the bond or insurance, additional coverage must be secured by the applicator to maintain financial responsibility equal to the original amount required.

(c) An employee of a licensed applicator is not required to maintain an insurance policy or bond during the time the employer is maintaining the required insurance or bond.

(d) Applications for reinstatement of a license suspended under the provisions of this section must be accompanied by proof of satisfaction of judgments previously rendered.

Subd. 7.Application fees.

(a) A person initially applying for or renewing a commercial applicator license must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $50.

(b) A license renewal application received after March 1 in the year for which the license is to be issued is subject to a penalty fee of 50 percent of the application fee. The penalty fee must be paid before the renewal license may be issued.

(c) An application for a duplicate commercial applicator license must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $10.

18B.34 NONCOMMERCIAL APPLICATOR LICENSE.

Subdivision 1.Requirement.

(a) Except for a licensed commercial applicator, certified private applicator, or licensed structural pest control applicator, a person, including a government employee, may not purchase or use a restricted use pesticide in performance of official duties without having a noncommercial applicator license for an appropriate use category.

(b) A licensee must have a valid license identification card when applying pesticides and must display it upon demand by an authorized representative of the commissioner or a law enforcement officer. The license identification card must contain information required by the commissioner.

(c) A person licensed under this section is considered qualified and is not required to verify, document, or otherwise prove a particular need prior to use, except as required by the federal label.

(d) A person licensed under this section must be 18 years of age or older.

Subd. 2.License.

A noncommercial applicator license:

(1) expires on December 31 of the year for which it is issued unless suspended or revoked before that date;

(2) is not transferable; and

(3) must be prominently displayed to the public in the noncommercial applicator's place of business.

Subd. 3.Application.

A person must apply to the commissioner for a noncommercial applicator license on forms and in the manner required by the commissioner. The commissioner must prescribe and administer a closed-book, monitored examination, or equivalent measure to determine if the applicant is eligible to acquire a noncommercial applicator license.

Subd. 4.Renewal.

(a) An applicator must apply to the commissioner to renew a noncommercial applicator license. The commissioner may renew a license subject to reexamination, attendance at a recertification workshop approved by the commissioner, or other requirements imposed by the commissioner to provide the applicator with information regarding changing technology and to help assure a continuing level of competence and ability to use pesticides safely and properly. A recertification workshop must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171. Competency standards for a recertification website must be published on the Department of Agriculture website. Upon the receipt of an applicator's renewal application, the commissioner may require the applicator to attend a recertification workshop. Depending on the application category, the commissioner may require an applicator to complete a recertification workshop once per year, once every two years, or once every three years. If the commissioner requires an applicator to attend a recertification workshop and the applicator fails to attend the workshop, the commissioner may require the applicator to pass a reexamination. The commissioner may require an additional demonstration of applicator qualification if the applicator has had a license suspended or revoked or has otherwise had a history of violations of this chapter.

(b) An applicator that meets renewal requirements by reexamination instead of attending a recertification workshop must pay the equivalent workshop fee for the reexamination as determined by the commissioner.

(c) An applicator has 12 months to renew the license after expiration without having to meet initial testing requirements.

Subd. 5.Fees.

(a) Except as provided under paragraph (b), a person initially applying for or renewing a noncommercial applicator license must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $50.

(b) A government employee, a contractor providing rest area custodial services for the commissioner of transportation, or a Conservation Corps Minnesota employee is eligible for a reduced fee of $10 if the employee or contractor uses pesticides in the course of performing official duties.

(c) A license renewal application received after March 1 in the year for which the license is to be issued is subject to a penalty fee of 50 percent of the application fee. The penalty fee must be paid before the renewal license may be issued.

(d) An application for a duplicate noncommercial applicator license must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $10.

18B.345 PESTICIDE APPLICATION ON GOLF COURSES.

(a) Application of a pesticide to the property of a golf course must be performed by:

(1) a structural pest control applicator; or

(2) a commercial or noncommercial pesticide applicator.

(b) Pesticides determined by the commissioner to be sanitizers and disinfectants are exempt from the requirements in paragraph (a).

18B.346 PESTICIDE APPLICATION ON RAILROAD PROPERTY.

Subdivision 1.Applicability.

This section applies only to common carrier railroads.

Subd. 2.Safety information.

(a) In coordination with common carrier railroad companies operating in this state, the commissioner shall provide annual pesticide safety outreach opportunities for railroad employees.

(b) A common carrier railroad that operates in this state must provide annual employee pesticide safety training opportunities.

Subd. 3.Pesticide applications.

(a) A person may not directly apply a restricted use pesticide to occupied or unoccupied locomotives, track repair equipment, or on-track housing units unless the pesticide is specifically labeled for that use.

(b) Employees of common carrier railroads must not be required to work in affected areas in a manner that is inconsistent with the pesticide label.

Subd. 4.Misuse reporting.

A common carrier railroad or a commercial applicator hired by the common carrier railroad to apply pesticide must report to the commissioner within four hours, or as soon as practicable, any pesticide misuse known to the railroad company or commercial applicator that occurred on railroad property or to other property under the control of the railroad company. For the purposes of this section, "misuse" means a pesticide application that violates subdivision 3 or any provision in section 18B.07.

18B.35 APPLICATION CATEGORIES WITHIN APPLICATOR LICENSES.

Subdivision 1.Establishment.

(a) The commissioner may establish categories of structural pest control, commercial applicator, noncommercial applicator licenses, and private applicator certification consistent with federal requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, sections 171.101 and 171.105, including but not limited to the federal categories that are applicable to the state. Application categories must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171. Competency standards for application categories must be published on the Department of Agriculture website. The categories may include pest control operators and ornamental, agricultural, aquatic, forest, and right-of-way pesticide applicators. Separate subclassifications of categories may be specified as to ground, aerial, or manual methods to apply pesticides or to the use of pesticides to control insects, plant diseases, rodents, or weeds.

(b) Each category is subject to separate testing procedures and requirements.

Subd. 2.No additional fee.

A person may not be required to pay an additional fee for a category or subclassification of a category of a license.

18B.36 PRIVATE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION.

Subdivision 1.Requirement.

(a) Except for a licensed commercial or noncommercial applicator, only a certified private applicator may use a restricted use pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity:

(1) as a traditional exchange of services without financial compensation;

(2) on a site owned, rented, or managed by the person or the person's employees; or

(3) when the private applicator is one of two or fewer employees and the owner or operator is a certified private applicator or is licensed as a noncommercial applicator.

(b) A person may not purchase a restricted use pesticide without presenting a license card, certified private applicator card, or the card number.

(c) A person certified under this section is considered qualified and is not required to verify, document, or otherwise prove a particular need prior to use, except as required by the federal label.

(d) A person certified under this section must be 18 years of age or older.

Subd. 2.Certification.

(a) The commissioner shall prescribe certification requirements and provide training that meets or exceeds United States Environmental Protection Agency standards to certify private applicators and provide information relating to changing technology to help ensure a continuing level of competency and ability to use pesticides properly and safely. Private applicator certification requirements and training must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171. Competency standards for private applicator certification and training must be published on the Department of Agriculture website. The training may be done through cooperation with other government agencies and must be a minimum of three hours in duration.

(b) A person must apply to the commissioner for certification as a private applicator. After completing the certification requirements, which must include a proctored examination as determined by the commissioner, an applicant must be certified as a private applicator to use restricted use pesticides. The certification shall expire March 1 of the third calendar year after the initial year of certification.

(c) The commissioner shall issue a private applicator card to a private applicator.

Subd. 3.Fees.

(a) A person applying to be certified as a private applicator must pay a nonrefundable $10 application fee for the certification period.

(b) A $5 fee must be paid for the issuance of a duplicate private applicator card.

18B.37 RECORDS; PLANS; INSPECTIONS.

Subdivision 1.Pesticide dealer.

(a) A pesticide dealer must maintain records of all sales of restricted use pesticides as required by the commissioner. Records must be kept at the time of sale on forms supplied by the commissioner or on the pesticide dealer's forms if they are approved by the commissioner.

(b) Records must be submitted upon request of the commissioner.

(c) Copies of records required under this subdivision must be maintained by the pesticide dealer for a period of five years after the date of the pesticide sale.

Subd. 2.Commercial and noncommercial applicators.

(a) A commercial or noncommercial applicator or the applicator's authorized agent must maintain a record of pesticides used on each site. Noncommercial applicators must keep records of restricted use pesticides. The record must include the:

(1) date of the pesticide use;

(2) time the pesticide application was completed;

(3) brand name of the pesticide, the United States Environmental Protection Agency registration number, and rate used;

(4) number of units treated;

(5) temperature, wind speed, and wind direction;

(6) location of the site where the pesticide was applied;

(7) name and address of the customer;

(8) name of applicator, name of company, license number of applicator, and address of applicator company; and

(9) any other information required by the commissioner.

(b) Portions of records not relevant to a specific type of application may be omitted upon approval from the commissioner.

(c) All information for this record requirement must be contained in a document for each pesticide application, except a map may be attached to identify treated areas. An invoice containing the required information may constitute the required record. The commissioner shall make sample forms available to meet the requirements of this paragraph.

(d) The record must be completed no later than five days after the application of the pesticide.

(e) A commercial applicator must give a copy of the record to the customer.

(f) Records must be retained by the applicator, company, or authorized agent for five years after the date of treatment.

(g) A record of a commercial or noncommercial applicator must meet or exceed the requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171.

Subd. 3.Structural pest control applicators.

(a) A structural pest control applicator must maintain a record of each structural pest control application conducted by that person or by the person's employees. The record must include the:

(1) date of structural pest control application;

(2) target pest;

(3) brand name of the pesticide, United States Environmental Protection Agency registration number, and amount used;

(4) for fumigation, the temperature and exposure time;

(5) time the pesticide application was completed;

(6) name and address of the customer;

(7) name of structural pest control applicator, name of company and address of applicator or company, and license number of applicator; and

(8) any other information required by the commissioner.

(b) All information for this record requirement must be contained in a document for each pesticide application. An invoice containing the required information may constitute the record.

(c) The record must be completed no later than five days after the application of the pesticide.

(d) Records must be retained for five years after the date of treatment.

(e) A copy of the record must be given to a person who ordered the application that is present at the site where the structural pest control application is conducted, placed in a conspicuous location at the site where the structural pest control application is conducted immediately after the application of the pesticides, or delivered to the person who ordered an application or the owner of the site. The commissioner must make sample forms available that meet the requirements of this subdivision.

(f) A structural applicator must post in a conspicuous place inside a renter's apartment where a pesticide application has occurred a list of postapplication precautions contained on the label of the pesticide that was applied in the apartment and any other information required by the commissioner.

(g) A record of a structural applicator must meet or exceed the requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171.

Subd. 4. Incident response plan.

A pesticide dealer, agricultural pesticide dealer, or a commercial, noncommercial, or structural pest control company or a person who is required to be permitted to store or produce bulk agricultural chemicals must develop and maintain an incident response plan that describes the actions that will be taken to prevent and respond to agricultural chemical incidents. The plan must include information the commissioner deems necessary to respond to an agricultural chemical emergency incident. The commissioner shall make sample incident response plan forms available. The plan must be kept at a principal business site or location within this state and must be submitted to the commissioner upon request. The plan must be:

(1) updated every three years or whenever information on the form becomes out of date, whichever is earlier;

(2) reviewed with employees at least once per calendar year and include documentation of training events; and

(3) made available to local first responders and documented accordingly.

Subd. 5.Inspection of records.

The commissioner may enter a commercial, noncommercial, or structural pest control applicator's business and inspect the records required in this section at any reasonable time and may make copies of the records. Unless required for enforcement of this chapter, the information in the records in this section is private or nonpublic.

Subd. 6.Access to pesticide application information.

(a) A physician licensed to practice in Minnesota, or a Minnesota licensed veterinarian, may submit a request to the commissioner for access to available information on the application of pesticides by a commercial or noncommercial pesticide applicator related to a course of diagnosis, care, or treatment of a patient under the care of the physician or veterinarian.

(b) A request for pesticide application information under this subdivision must include available details as to the specific location of a known or suspected application that occurred on one or more specified dates and times. The request must also include information on symptoms displayed by the patient that prompted the physician or veterinarian to suspect pesticide exposure. The request must indicate that any information discovered will become part of the confidential patient record and will not be released publicly.

(c) Upon receipt of a request under paragraph (a), the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of health, shall promptly review the information contained in the request and determine if release of information held by the department may be beneficial for the medical diagnosis, care, and treatment of the patient.

(d) The commissioner may release to the requester available information on the pesticide. The commissioner shall withhold nonessential information such as total acres treated, the specific amount of pesticides applied, and the identity of the applicator or property owner.

18B.38 PROTECTION OF TRADE SECRETS.

Subdivision 1.Requirements.

In submitting data required by this chapter, the applicant may:

(1) clearly mark any portions that in the applicant's opinion are trade secrets, commercial, or financial information; and

(2) submit the marked material separately from other material.

Subd. 2.Information revealed.

After consideration of the applicant's request submitted under subdivision 1, the commissioner shall not make any information public that in the commissioner's judgment contains or relates to trade secrets or to commercial or financial information obtained from an applicant. When necessary, information relating to formulas of products may be revealed to any state or federal agency consulted with similar protection of trade secret authority and may be revealed at a public hearing or in findings of facts issued by the commissioner.

Subd. 3.Notification.

If the commissioner proposes to release information that the applicant or registrant believes to be protected from disclosure under subdivision 2, the commissioner shall notify the applicant or registrant by certified mail. The commissioner shall not make the information available for inspection until 30 days after receipt of the notice by the applicant or registrant. During this period the applicant or registrant may institute an action in an appropriate court for a declaratory judgment as to whether the information is subject to protection under this section.

History:

1987 c 358 s 80

18B.39 EXISTING RULES.

Rules of the commissioner of agriculture in effect on July 1, 1987, relating to the distribution, use, storage, handling, and disposal of pesticides, rinsates, and pesticide containers remain in effect until they are superseded by new rules.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes