California Assembly Bill AB350 Introduced / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 350INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Alejo FEBRUARY 17, 2015 An act to amend Sections 12022 and 12023 of, and to add Section 12022.5 to, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to pest control. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 350, as introduced, Alejo. Agricultural pest control advisers. Existing law requires agricultural pest control advisers to be licensed by the Department of Pesticide Regulation. Under existing law, applicants for licensing are required to elect to be examined by the Director of Pesticide Regulation for certification in one or more identified specializations, including plant growth regulation. This bill would specify that the certification for plant growth regulation includes plant and soil health. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 12022 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read: 12022.  Applicants   An applicant  for licensing shall elect to be examined for certification in one or more of the following categories: (a) Control of insects, mites, and other invertebrates. (b) Control of plant pathogens. (c) Control of nematodes. (d) Control of vertebrate pests. (e) Control of weeds. (f) Defoliation. (g) Plant growth  regulation.   regulation, including plant and soil health.   The examination shall be prepared and administered by the director.  SEC. 2. Section 12022.5 is added to the Food and Agricultural Code, to read: 12022.5. Examinations for licensing and certification pursuant to Section 12022 shall be prepared and administered by the director. SEC. 3. Section 12023 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read: 12023. An agricultural pest control adviser license may be refused or may be revoked or suspended by the director as necessary to carry out the purposes of this division. Cause for refusal, revocation, or suspension shall include, but shall not be limited to the following: (a) Failure to put a recommendation in writing. (b) The making of false or fraudulent statements in any written recommendation. (c) Failure or refusal to comply with any provision of this chapter, or any other regulation adopted by the agricultural commissioner. (d) Failure or refusal to comply with any provisions of this division or of Division 7 (commencing with Section 12501) relating to pesticides or regulation of the department adopted pursuant to such provisions. (e) Failure to qualify by examination in  at least one of the categories in   accordance with  Section 12022. (f) Unprofessional conduct, as defined in Section 12023.5.