(a) After public hearing, the commissioner may make regulations governing the disposal of any pesticide or any container therefor, to prevent pollution of any waterway and to protect plant and animal life. Such regulations shall be consistent with Section 19(a) of FIFRA and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(b) The commissioner shall, in cooperation with the college of agriculture and natural resources of The University of Connecticut, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and other public agencies, publish information regarding proper application or handling of pesticides and methods and precautions designed to prevent damage and injury.

(c) The commissioner may undertake such monitoring activities, including but not limited to monitoring in air, soil, water, man, plants and animals, as may be necessary for the implementation of this part, subsection (a) of section 23-61a or section 23-61b, and of the National Pesticide Monitoring Plan. Such activities shall be carried out in cooperation with federal, state and local agencies.

(d) The commissioner shall establish a Pesticide Advisory Council consisting of, but not limited to, the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Public Health, and the dean of the college of agriculture of The University of Connecticut or their respective designees. The council shall meet at least annually and the commissioner may consult with the Pesticide Advisory Council on technical matters involving the application and use of pesticides, the determination of imminent hazards and the unreasonable adverse effects on the environment before promulgating regulations or orders in carrying out this part, subsection (a) of section 23-61a and sections 23-61b and 23-61f.

(P.A. 73-540, S. 20, 28; P.A. 77-529, S. 24; 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 96-180, S. 77, 166; P.A. 02-89, S. 64; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 77-529 substituted “disposal” for “discarding” of pesticides or containers in Subsec. (a) and required that regulations be consistent with Section 19(a) of FIFRA and associated regulations; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services in Subsec. (d), effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-180 amended Subsec. (d) to delete a reference to repealed Sec. 22a-64, effective June 3, 1996; P.A. 02-89 amended Subsec. (c) to replace reference to “sections 23-61b to 23-61d, inclusive” with reference to “section 23-61b” and amended Subsec. (d) to make a technical change and replace reference to “sections 23-61b to 23-61d, inclusive, and 23-61f” with reference to “sections 23-61b and 23-61f”, reflecting repeal of Sec. 23-61d by the same public act; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.