SB 20-101 Summary

• Commissioner of agriculture must notify licensed or registered pesticide applicators within 24 hours of receiving a complaint, including a summary of alleged facts and violated statutes or rules.

• If the commissioner fails to provide notice within 24 hours, the commissioner cannot suspend or revoke the applicator's license or registration, or impose civil penalties based on the complaint facts.

• If notice is not provided, the applicator is immune from criminal prosecution under the pesticide laws based on the facts alleged in the complaint.

• Disciplinary proceedings, civil penalty proceedings (except for violations of unauthorized application sections), and criminal prosecutions must be commenced within one year after the facts occurred.

• Act takes effect August 5, 2020, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2020 general election.