MS HB634

Establishes administrative hearing procedures for violations of plant disease, pest, bee, and bee disease regulations under the Bureau of Plant Industry, allowing the Department of Agriculture to impose penalties including warnings, license revocation, civil fines up to $5,000, and seizure of regulated materials.

Creates new Section 69-25-10 prohibiting cultivation of nonnative plant species in plantings larger than one acre for fuel production or non-agricultural purposes without a special permit from the Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

Requires permit applicants to submit a surety bond, plant name, legal description of cultivated lands, and estimated removal costs; permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Authorizes the Department to deny permits if specialists at Mississippi State University determine the nonnative plant is invasive or could constitute a nuisance, and allows the Department to order removal and destruction of plants with enforcement through surety bonds.

Grants the Department authority to inspect permit holder lands and records at any time and establish regulations necessary to implement the nonnative plant species control law, effective July 1, 2012.