(a) For purposes of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, sections 10-231b, 10-231c and 10-231d, subsection (a) of section 23-61a and sections 23-61b and 23-61f, the commissioner may designate, within available appropriations, officers or employees who may enter at reasonable times, any establishment or other place where pesticides or devices are being or have been used, or where pesticides or devices are held for use, distribution or sale in order to: (1) Observe the application of pesticides; (2) determine if the applicator is or should be certified; (3) determine if the applicator has obtained a proper permit to apply restricted use pesticides; (4) inspect equipment or devices used to apply pesticides; (5) inspect or investigate the validity of damage claims; (6) inspect or obtain samples in any place where pesticides or devices have been used or are held for use, storage, distribution or sale; (7) obtain samples of any pesticides or devices packaged, labeled and released for shipment and samples of any containers or labeling for such pesticides or devices; and (8) obtain samples of any pesticides or devices that have been used; and obtain samples of any containers or labeling for such pesticides or devices. Before undertaking such inspection, the officers or employees shall present to the owner, operator or agent in charge of the establishment or other place where pesticides or devices are held for distribution or sale, appropriate credentials and a written statement as to the reason for the inspection, including a statement as to whether a violation of the law is suspected. If no violation is suspected, an alternate and sufficient reason shall be given in writing. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness. If the officer or employee obtains any samples, prior to leaving the premises, he shall give to the owner, operator or agent in charge a receipt describing the samples obtained and, if requested, a portion of each such sample equal in volume or weight to the portion retained. If an analysis is made of such samples, the laboratories of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station may be used and a copy of the results of such analysis shall be furnished promptly to the owner, operator or agent in charge and the commissioner.

(b) For purposes of enforcing the provisions of this part, subsection (a) of section 23-61a and sections 23-61b and 23-61f, and upon a showing to an officer or court of competent jurisdiction that there is reason to believe that the provisions of this chapter and said sections have been violated, officers or employees duly designated by the commissioner are empowered to obtain and to execute warrants authorizing: (1) Entry for the purpose of this section; (2) inspection and reproduction of all records showing the quantity, date of shipment, and the name of consignor and consignee of any pesticide or device found in the establishment which is adulterated, misbranded, not registered, in the case of a pesticide, or otherwise in violation of this part and said sections and in the event of the inability of any person to produce records containing such information, all other records and information relating to such delivery, movement, or holding of the pesticide or device; and (3) the seizure of any pesticide or device which is in violation of this part and said sections.

(P.A. 73-540, S. 14, 28; P.A. 74-338, S. 72, 94; P.A. 77-529, S. 17; P.A. 83-108, S. 3; P.A. 02-89, S. 61; P.A. 07-168, S. 2; P.A. 08-124, S. 11.)

History: P.A. 74-338 substituted “are recognized” for “or recognized”, a technical change in Subsec. (a); P.A. 77-529 allowed commissioner's designees to enter places for purposes other than inspection or obtaining samples in Subsec. (a); P.A. 83-108 amended Subsec. (a) to clarify the department's authority in obtaining pesticide samples from areas where they have been used or stored and to substitute “chapter” for “part”; P.A. 02-89 replaced references to “sections 23-61b to 23-61d, inclusive, and 23-61f” with references to “sections 23-61b and 23-61f” in Subsecs. (a) and (b), reflecting repeal of Sec. 23-61d by the same public act, and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b); P.A. 07-168 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Secs. 10-231b, 10-231c and 10-231d to list of sections that commissioner may enforce, and limited designation of agents to act for commissioner to within available appropriations; P.A. 08-124 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective June 2, 2008.