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An Act Regarding the Composition of the Board of Pesticides Control
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1471-B, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 2007, c. 466, Pt. B, §17, is further amended to read:
 
1. Board established.   The Board of Pesticides Control is established by Title 5, section 12004-D, subsection 3, within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. Except as provided in this chapter, the board must be composed of 78 members, appointed by the Governor, subject to approval by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters and confirmation by the Senate. To provide the knowledge and experience necessary for carrying out the duties of the board, the board must consist of the following members: one person with practical experience and knowledge regarding the agricultural use of chemicals; one person who has practical experience and knowledge regarding the use of chemicals in forest management; one person from the medical community; a scientist from the University of Maine System specializing in agronomy or entomology having practical experience and knowledge of integrated pest management; one commercial applicator; one representative of a statewide organization of organic farmers and gardeners; and 2 persons appointed to represent the public. The 2 members appointed to represent the public must have a demonstrated interest in environmental protection and represent different geographic areas of the State. The term must be for 4 years, except that of the initial appointees, 2 shall serve 4-year terms, 2 shall serve 3-year terms, 2 shall serve 2-year terms and one shall serve a one-year term. Any vacancy must be filled by an appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1471-B, sub-§2,  as amended by PL 1989, c. 841, §4, is further amended to read:
 
2. Organization of the board.   The board shall elect a chair and any other officers it determines necessary from among the membership. The board shall meet at the call of the chair or at the request of any 3 members. FourFive members constitute a quorum and, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any action requires the affirmative vote of the greater of either a majority of those present and voting or at least 2 members. Any action by the board requesting that the Attorney General pursue a court action against an alleged violator of any law or rule requires an affirmative vote by 3 members or a majority of those present and voting, whichever is greater. The chair and any other officers shall serve in those capacities for a period of one year following their elections.
 
SUMMARY
This bill adds a representative of a statewide organization of organic farmers and gardeners to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Board of Pesticides Control. It also increases from 4 to 5 the number of members that constitutes a quorum.