The director may allow the continued registration, sale, and use of a pesticide that meets any one of the conditions specified in Section 13149 if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The registrant submits a report and documented evidence that demonstrate both of the following:

(1) That the presence in the soil of any active ingredient, other specified ingredient, or degradation product does not threaten to pollute the groundwater of the state in any region within the state in which the pesticide may be used according to the terms under which it is registered.

(2) That any active ingredient, other specified ingredient, or degradation product that has been found in groundwater has not polluted, and does not threaten to pollute, the groundwater of the state in any region within the state in which the pesticide may be used according to the terms under which it is registered.

(b) A subcommittee of the director’s pesticide registration and evaluation committee, consisting of one member each representing the director, the State Department of Health Services, and the board, holds a hearing, within 180 days after it is requested by the registrant, to review the report and documented evidence submitted by the registrant and any other information or data that the subcommittee determines is necessary to make a finding.

(c) The subcommittee, within 90 days after the hearing is conducted, makes any of the following findings and recommendations:

(1) That the ingredient found in the soil or groundwater has not polluted, and does not threaten to pollute, the groundwater of the state.

(2) That the agricultural use of the pesticide can be modified so that there is a high probability that the pesticide would not pollute the groundwater of the state.

(3) That modification of the agricultural use of the pesticide pursuant to paragraph (2) or cancellation of the pesticide will cause severe economic hardship on the state’s agricultural industry, and that no alternative products or practices can be effectively used so that there is a high probability that pollution of the groundwater of the state will not occur. The subcommittee shall recommend a level of the pesticide that does not significantly diminish the margin of safety recognized by the subcommittee to not cause adverse health effects.

When the subcommittee makes a finding pursuant to paragraph (2) or this paragraph (3), it shall determine whether the adverse health effects of the pesticide are carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, or neurotoxic.

(d) The director, within 30 days after the subcommittee issues its findings, does any of the following:

(1) Concurs with the subcommittee finding pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).

(2) Concurs with the subcommittee finding pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), and adopts modifications that result in a high probability that the pesticide would not pollute the groundwaters of the state.

(3) Concurs with the subcommittee findings pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c), or determines that the subcommittee finding pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) will cause severe economic hardship on the state’s agricultural industry. In either case, the director shall adopt the subcommittee’s recommended level or shall establish a different level, provided the level does not significantly diminish the margin of safety to not cause adverse health effects.

(4) Determines that, contrary to the finding of the subcommittee, no pollution or threat to pollution exists. The director shall state the reasons for his or her decisions in writing at the time any action is taken, specifying any differences with the subcommittee’s findings and recommendations. The written statement shall be transmitted to the appropriate committees of the Senate and Assembly, the State Department of Health Services, and the board.

When the director takes action pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3), he or she shall determine whether the adverse health effects of the pesticide are carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, or neurotoxic.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 361, Sec. 91. Effective January 1, 1997.)