Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §2404 is enacted to read:

§2404.__Integrated Pest Management Research Fund

1.__Fund established.__The Integrated Pest Management Research Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established as a dedicated, nonlapsing fund.

2.__Permissible uses.__The commissioner shall use the fund in accordance with a plan required under subsection 3 for research and to promote the principles and the implementation of integrated pest management and other technology to minimize the reliance on pesticides.

3.__Plan required.__Beginning in calendar year 2001, the commissioner shall by February 1st of each year present a plan for expenditures from the fund for the next fiscal year to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture matters.

Sec. 2. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2000-01

AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL RESOURCES,

DEPARTMENT OF

Integrated Pest Management Research Fund

All Other $150,000

Provides funds to be used for integrated pest management research and programs.

SUMMARY

This bill appropriates $150,000 to the Board of Pesticides Control to be used to establish an Integrated Pest Management Research Fund.