The bill amends Rhode Island's General Laws concerning the Department of Environmental Management's agricultural functions, including the assent to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which allows the director to modernize food safety practices. It introduces the requirement for electronic payment of registration and fees for commercial fertilizers and agricultural liming materials, with the possibility of a processing fee not exceeding 5% per application or report. The bill also updates the registration process, specifying that fees are to be deposited into the general fund and outlines the use of funds for the commercial fertilizer program. Additionally, it revises the licensing process for livestock dealers by removing the need for additional license plates and fees and updates definitions related to apiculture.

The bill further amends laws regarding the transportation of bees, requiring a movement permit and health certificate for bees or beekeeping equipment entering the state, and eliminates the previous $50 application fee for such permits. It also updates the pesticide registration process, categorizing pesticides, setting an annual registration fee of $50 (reduced to $25 if the pesticide relief fund exceeds $1 million), and allowing the director to waive fees for "statewide minor use" products. The bill repeals the section requiring the director to furnish number plates for livestock dealer vehicles and adds a new chapter on electronic payments and applications, authorizing the director to charge processing fees for electronic transactions. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
941  SUB A: 2-1-10.1, 2-22-5, 4-7-16, 4-11-2, 4-7-14
941: 2-1-10.1, 2-22-5, 4-7-16, 4-11-2, 4-7-14