Legislative Round Up

Legislative issues threaten to have tremendous impact on the future of the green industry, and many industry professionals believe that the environmental groups pushing for such legislation are only growing stronger. One way contractors can defend themselves against such obstacles is by staying informed on what’s taking place in their own market and then communicating with their state or local officials when a particular bill is brought under consideration. Here’s a rundown of some recent legislative developments of concern to the green industry.

Minnesota:
The Senate passed S.F. 1555, to prohibit the use of phosphorous turf fertilizers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington counties unless:

1) a tissue, soil, or other test performed by a laboratory in the last three years indicates that the levels of available phosphorous in the soil is insufficient to support healthy turf growth;
2) it is being used on newly established or developed turf and lawn areas during their first growing season; or
3) the fertilizer is used on a golf course under the direction of a licensed, certified or approved by an organization with an ongoing training program approved by the commissioner.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration. 

Text of S.B. 1555:
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/getbill.pl?number=SF1555&session=ls82&version=latest&session_number=0&session_year=2001

New Jersey:
On March 4, a drought emergency for the state of New Jersey was declared by Gov. McGreevey. The governor has given the Commissioner of the Dept. of Environmental Protection, the Water Emergency Task Force and the Drought Coordinator and other relevant authorities, the power to take "whatever steps are necessary and proper to alleviate the water emergency."

Mandatory statewide water restrictions effective March 11:
http://www.nj.gov/dep/drought/ao02-05.htm

Read governor's Executive Order #11:
http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/circular/eom11.htm

Maine:
The governor signed S.B. 716, to create an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Council to facilitate, promote, expand and enhance the adoption of IPM in all sectors of pesticide use and pest management in the state. A representative of the turf or landscape management industry would be invited to serve as a member on the council.

Read text of S.B. 716:
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billtexts/LD191801-1.asp

Michigan:
S.B. 989 – to reorganize and simplify the state Pesticide Control law and increase pesticide applicator license fees - passed the Senate and has been sent to the House for consideration.

Text of S.B. 989:
http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2001-2002/billengrossed/senate/pdf/2001-SEBS-0989.pdf

Thanks to the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America for compiling this information.