(a) Any registrant of a pesticide identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 13144 is subject to a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each day the groundwater protection data gap exists. In determining the amount of the fine, the director shall consider both of the following:

(1) The extent to which the registrant has made every effort to submit valid, complete, and adequate information within the required time limits.

(2) Circumstances beyond the control of the registrant that have prevented the registrant from submitting valid, complete, and adequate information within the required time limits.

(b) If there is a dispute between the director and a registrant regarding the existence of a groundwater protection data gap and the director desires to levy a fine on the registrant pursuant to this section, the director shall submit the issues of the dispute to the subcommittee created pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 13150. The subcommittee shall review the evidence submitted by the registrant and the director and make recommendations to the director on whether or not the groundwater data gap exists.

(c) Subdivisions (a) and (b) shall not apply to pesticide products whose registration has lapsed or has been canceled, or to products that have been granted a current extension pursuant to Section 13143.

(d) The director shall, by regulation, establish the Groundwater Protection List, which shall include each active ingredient, other specified ingredient, or degradation product of a pesticide that, when applied, has the potential to pollute groundwater.

(e) The director, in consultation with the subcommittee created pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 13150, shall develop a peer reviewed method to determine the potential of a pesticide to pollute groundwater using specific numerical values established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13144. The director may revise this method, subject to peer review. The peer review shall be conducted using the same process as described in Section 57004 of the Health and Safety Code. When a chemical is listed by regulation using this method, no further peer review of the method is required.

(f) Each active ingredient, other specified ingredient, or degradation product of a pesticide on the Groundwater Protection List that is detected pursuant to Sections 13148 and 13149 and determined to be a result of lawful agricultural use shall be regulated to prevent groundwater pollution in accordance with this article.

(g) Any person who uses a pesticide that has been placed on the Groundwater Protection List and does not file a report pursuant to Section 12979, is required to report to the county agricultural commissioner the use of the pesticide on a form prescribed by the director. The reporting deadline shall conform to the deadline established for the reporting of the use of restricted materials.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 626, Sec. 3. (SB 1117) Effective January 1, 2015.)