Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1471-B, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1991, c. 376, §45, is further amended to read:

1. Board established. The Board of Pesticides Control is established by Title 5, section 12004-D, subsection 3, within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. Except as provided in this chapter, the board must be composed of 7 9 members, appointed by the Governor, subject to approval by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters and confirmation by the Legislature. To provide the knowledge and experience necessary for carrying out the duties of the board, the board must consist of the following members: one person with practical experience and knowledge regarding the agricultural use of chemicals; one person who has practical experience and knowledge regarding the use of chemicals in forest management; one person representing a statewide association of structural pest management operators; one person from the medical community; a scientist from the University of Maine System specializing in agronomy or entomology having practical experience and knowledge of integrated pest management; one commercial applicator; and 2 3 persons appointed to represent the public. The 2 Two members appointed to represent the public must have a demonstrated interest practical experience and knowledge in environmental protection and represent different geographic areas of the State. One member appointed to represent the public must represent a statewide business association. The term must be for 4 years, except that of the initial appointees, 2 shall serve 4-year terms, 2 shall serve 3-year terms, 2 shall serve 2-year terms and one shall serve a one-year term. Any vacancy must be filled by an appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

SUMMARY

This bill adds 2 members to the Board of Pesticides Control, for a total of 9 members. The board currently has 2 members who are pesticides experts, one in agriculture and one in forestry. The bill adds an expert in structural pest management. The board currently has 2 members of the public who have a demonstrated interest in environmental protection. To be consistent with qualifications for other members of the board, the bill requires that these 2 members have practical experience and knowledge in environmental protection. Finally, the bill adds a member of the public representing a statewide business association.