MN HF2615

Increases pesticide gross sales fees to 0.6 percent for nonagricultural pesticides and 0.65 percent for agricultural pesticides during calendar years 2012-2016, then reduces to 0.5 percent and 0.55 percent respectively thereafter.

Dedicates a temporary 0.1 percent surcharge on all pesticide gross sales through calendar year 2016 to fund updates to pesticide applicator training and certification processes and materials.

Requires the commissioner to report annually to legislative agriculture finance committees by January 15 regarding accomplishments and planned efforts through fiscal year 2017, with the surcharge authority expiring June 30, 2017.

Expands pesticide education and training program topics to include pest resistance and pesticide drift, and adds Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System as a partner with University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Updates certification manual and examination requirements to address prevention of pesticide occurrence in both groundwater and surface water, rather than groundwater alone.