Sponsored by:
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Senator BOB SMITH
District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Requires training for pesticide applicators and operators concerning pollinating bees.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act requiring training for pesticide applicators and operators concerning pollinating bees and amending P.L.1971, c.176.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 4 of P.L.1971, c.176 (C.13:1F-4) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. The commissioner shall have the power to formulate and promulgate, amend and repeal orders, rules and regulations prohibiting, conditioning and controlling the sale, purchase, transportation, labeling, use and application, or any thereof, of pesticides which cause or may tend to cause adverse effects on man or the environment by any person within this State. State rules and regulations with respect to the labeling of any pesticide, the labeling of which is prescribed by Federal law and regulations, shall to the extent practicable conform to the Federal requirements.
b. In addition to any other training and licensing requirements established by the commissioner pursuant to P.L.1971, c.176 (C.13:1F-1 et seq.), a person seeking certification and licensing as a pesticide applicator or a commercial pesticide operator shall be required to complete a continuing education or training course, approved by the department, concerning the impact of pesticides on pollinating bees.
For the purposes of this subsection, “pollinating bee” means any bee that causes a plant to make fruits or seeds by transferring pollen from a plant anther to a plant stigma, resulting in fertilization.
(cf: P.L.1971, c.176, s.4)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to establish a basic training course for pesticide applicators and operators concerning the use of pesticides with respect to pollinating bees. Pollinating bees cause plants to make fruits or seeds by transferring pollen from a plant anther to a plant stigma, resulting in fertilization, and pesticide applications can interfere with this process.
Requires training for pesticide applicators and operators concerning pollinating bees.