Pennsylvania Act 2023-20 — AGRICULTURE CODE (3 PA.C.S.) - APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER TO TURF

Act text

Session of 2023

No. 2023-20

HB 156

AN ACT

Amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fertilizer, further providing for definitions and for application of fertilizer to turf.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The definition of "pesticide applicator" in section 6801 of Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, added July 11, 2022 (P.L.1538, No.83), is amended and the section is amended by adding a definition to read:

§ 6801. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

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["Pesticide applicator." A commercial applicator or a public applicator as defined in section 4 of the act of March 1, 1974 (P.L.90, No.24), known as the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act of 1973.]

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"Sanitized." A process to significantly reduce viability of pathogens and weed seeds.

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Section 2. Section 6813(b) of Title 3, added July 11, 2022 (P.L.1538, No.83), is amended to read:

§ 6813. Application of fertilizer to turf.

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(b) Restrictions.--No person may:

(1) Apply fertilizer labeled for use on turf to an impervious surface. Fertilizer labeled for use on turf that is inadvertently applied to an impervious surface shall be removed from the impervious surface immediately following the application.

(2) Apply fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus to turf at any time when the ground is frozen to a depth of at least two inches or snow covered.

[(3) Except as provided in paragraph (4), apply fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus to turf after December 15 and before March 1 or dates as established in regulations promulgated by the department.]

(4) [Fertilizer] Apply fertilizer containing [no] more than 0.5 pounds of total nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, or at a rate established in regulations promulgated by the department, [may be applied by a certified applicator or fertilizer technician] to turf after December 15 and before March 1 or dates as established in regulations promulgated by the department.

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Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

APPROVED--The 1st day of November, A.D. 2023.

JOSH SHAPIRO