BILL NUMBER: AB 350	INTRODUCED
	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.