Statehouse —A bill authored by State Senator Jean Leising that would address the enforcement of pesticide violations passed the Indiana Senate unanimously this week.
Under current law, the state chemist may impose a civil penalty to individuals who misuse pesticides based off a schedule of civil penalties that the Indiana Pesticide Review Board created. Senate Bill 227 would replace the schedule of civil penalties with a comprehensive list of violations for which the state chemist may impose a civil penalty of $250, $500 or $1,000, depending on severity of the violation.
“The misuse of pesticides can be detrimental to Indiana farmers, who contribute billions of dollars to our state economy each year,” Leising said. “We must do what we can do protect our environment. SB 227 would grant the state chemist the authority necessary to maintain fair regulatory measures.”
SB 227 will now be considered by the Indiana House of Representatives. To learn more about SB 227, click here.
