Creating a pesticide drift and pollution task force, and requiring the submission of a report to the governor and general assembly

This bill creates a pesticide drift and pollution task force (task force) within the department of agriculture and land stewardship. The task force is chaired by the secretary of agriculture and includes members with backgrounds in various scientific disciplines, representatives of the industry, representatives of persons involved in the application of pesticides, and persons affected by the application of pesticides. The task force must study methods to reduce or mitigate pesticide pollution due to the movement of chemical compounds passing through the air, dissolving in water, absorbing into the soil matrix, or adhering to sediment; and the associated effects on aquatic organisms and drinking water supplies. The task force is required to recommend long-term pesticide application and management practices, notice requirements for pesticide applications, a strategy for evaluating the sustainable use of pesticides, and a method to establish and administer an electronic system that allows a person to report and access complaints. The task force must submit a report containing findings and recommendations to the governor and general assembly not later than December 30, 2023.