2-1091.01.

Nursery stock distributor license; application; contents; fees; licensee duties; nursery stock; requirements; license; posting; lapse of license.

(1) A person shall not operate as a nursery stock distributor without a valid license issued by the department. Any person validly licensed as a grower, a dealer, or a broker under the Plant Protection and Plant Pest Act as it existed on the day before September 6, 2013, shall remain validly licensed until December 31, 2013.

(2) Each nursery stock distributor shall apply for a license required by subsection (1) of this section on forms furnished by the department due on January 1 for the current license year. Such application shall include the full name and mailing address of the applicant, the names and addresses of any partners, limited liability company members, or corporate officers, the name and address of the person authorized by the applicant to receive notices and orders of the department as provided in the Plant Protection and Plant Pest Act, whether the applicant is an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or other legal entity, the location of the operation, and the signature of the applicant. A person distributing greenhouse plants grown for indoor use, annual plants, florist stock, cut flowers, sod, turf, onions, or potatoes, or seeds of any such plant, shall not be required to obtain a license but may do so pursuant to section 2-10,105.

(3) A nursery stock distributor license shall expire on December 31 of each year unless previously lapsed or revoked.

(4) All applications shall be accompanied by a license fee for the first acre on which nursery stock is located. If the nursery stock distributor does not have physical possession of nursery stock, the nursery stock distributor shall pay a license fee based on one acre. Additionally the applicant shall pay an acreage fee for each additional acre on which nursery stock is located. The license fees are set forth in section 2-1091.02. If the applicant has distributed nursery stock prior to applying for a license, the applicant shall pay an additional administrative fee as set forth in section 2-1091.02.

(5) All nursery stock distributed by a nursery stock distributor shall be only sound, healthy nursery stock that is reasonably capable of growth, labeled correctly, free from injurious plant pests, and stored or displayed under conditions which maintain its vigor as provided in the rules and regulations. Any fee charged to the department for diagnostic services or shipping costs shall be paid by the nursery stock distributor.

(6) A valid copy of the nursery stock distributor's license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the distribution location.

(7) A nursery stock distributor shall obtain a license for each distribution location.

(8) Each applicant for a nursery stock distributor license shall furnish a signed written statement that such person will acquire and distribute only nursery stock which has been distributed by a person who is duly licensed pursuant to the act or approved by an authorizing agency within the state of origin recognized by the department.

(9) Every nursery stock distributor shall continually maintain a complete and accurate list with the department of all sources from which nursery stock is received.

(10) Each nursery stock distributor shall keep and make available for examination by the department for a period of three years an accurate record of all transactions conducted in the ordinary course of business. Records pertaining to such business shall at a minimum include the names of the persons from which nursery stock was received, the receiving date, the amount received, and the variety and place of origin of the nursery stock received and all documents accompanying each shipment indicating compliance with state or federal requirements and quarantines.

(11) A nursery stock distributor license shall lapse automatically upon a change of ownership, and the subsequent owner must obtain a new license. The nursery stock distributor license shall lapse automatically upon a change of location, and such licensee must obtain a new license. A licensee shall notify the department in writing at least thirty days prior to any change in ownership, name, or address. A nursery stock distributor shall notify the department in writing before there is a change of the name or address of the person authorized to receive notices and orders of the department. When a nursery stock distributor permanently ceases operating, he or she shall return the license to the department.