Sec. 69. (a) Subject to this section, if a person violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter, the state chemist under IC 4-21.5-3-6 may warn, cite, or impose a civil penalty on the person or:
(1) deny;
(2) suspend;
(3) revoke; or
(4) amend;
the person's registration under this chapter.
(b) The state chemist may impose civil penalties under this section only in accordance with subsections (c) through (e). However, this section does not require the state chemist to impose a civil penalty on a person for any violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.
(c) Except for a violation described in subsection (d) or (e), the state chemist may impose a civil penalty not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter. A civil penalty imposed under this subsection may be adjusted for mitigating actions described in subsection (f). A civil penalty under this subsection may not be imposed unless a warning for a violation has previously been issued to the person for the same violation within the previous five (5) years.
(d) Subject to adjustment under subsection (f) for mitigating actions, the state chemist may impose a civil penalty not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) if the state chemist finds that a person has done any of the following:
(1) Unknowingly committed an act described in section 57(1) of this chapter.
(2) Committed an act described in section 57(2) through 57(5) of this chapter.
(3) Unknowingly committed an act described in section 66(1) of this chapter.
(4) Committed an act described in section 66(2) or 66(3) of this chapter.
(5) Unknowingly committed an act described in 357 IAC 1-3-3.
(6) Stored a nonrestricted use pesticide in a minibulk pesticide storage container outside of secondary containment.
(e) The state chemist may impose a civil penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000) if the state chemist finds that a person has done any of the following:
(1) Knowingly committed an act described in section 57(1) of this chapter.
(2) Committed an act described in section 57(9) of this chapter.
(3) Knowingly committed an act described in section 66(1) of this chapter.
(4) Committed an act described in section 67, 68, 73(c), or 77 of this chapter.
(5) Committed an act described in 357 IAC 1-3-2.
(6) Knowingly committed an act described in 357 IAC 1-3-3.
(7) Stored:
(A) any pesticide in a bulk pesticide storage container; or
(B) a restricted use pesticide in a minibulk pesticide storage container;
outside of secondary containment.
(8) After notice, refused to comply with this chapter, the rules adopted under this chapter, or a lawful order of the state chemist or board.
(f) The state chemist may not adjust the amount of the civil penalty for a violation listed in subsection (e). The state chemist may reduce the amount of the civil penalty for a violation listed in subsection (c) or (d) if the state chemist finds that the person responsible for the violation has taken any of the following mitigating actions:
(1) Cooperated with the state chemist during the investigation or inspection process.
(2) Took corrective action to prevent future similar violations.
(3) Compensated a victim for any adverse effects that resulted from the violation.
The state chemist may reduce the amount of the civil penalty by twenty percent (20%) for each mitigating action taken by the person responsible for the violation.
(g) A proceeding under IC 4-21.5-3 that involves the imposition of a civil penalty may be consolidated with any other proceeding commenced under IC 4-21.5 to enforce this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter.
(h) Money collected for civil penalties imposed under this section shall be credited to the office of Purdue pesticide programs. The money may be used only to provide education about pesticides.
[Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-3-3.5-18.3.]
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.91-2020, SEC.11; P.L.76-2021, SEC.2.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 15. Agriculture and Animals
Article 16. Horticulture Control
15-16-4-1. Application of Chapter; Exported Pesticides
15-16-4-2. "Active Ingredient"
15-16-4-5. "Aquatic Ecologist"
15-16-4-12. "Final Printed Labeling"
15-16-4-17. "Highly Volatile Herbicide"
15-16-4-18. "Immediate Container"
15-16-4-19. "Inert Ingredient"
15-16-4-20. "Ingredient Statement"
15-16-4-31. "Pesticide for Use by Prescription Only"
15-16-4-32. "Pesticide Formulation"
15-16-4-33. "Pesticide Product"
15-16-4-37. "Restricted Use Pesticide"
15-16-4-39. "Terrestrial Ecologist"
15-16-4-42. Pesticide Review Board; Establishment; Membership; Terms
15-16-4-47. Board; per Diem and Travel Expenses
15-16-4-48. Board; Information Concerning Pesticides
15-16-4-49. Declaration of Injurious Pests
15-16-4-51. Administration; State Chemist
15-16-4-53. Delegation of Duties
15-16-4-54. Agreements With Other Agencies
15-16-4-55. Access to Pesticide Products
15-16-4-56. Pesticide Products That Are Considered to Be the Same
15-16-4-57. Prohibited Acts; Production, Distribution, Display, and Sale
15-16-4-58. Exemptions; Transporting; Public Officials
15-16-4-59. Prohibited Acts; Use
15-16-4-60. Exemptions; Used for Research
15-16-4-61. Pesticide Registration
15-16-4-63. Registration Fees Apply to Commercial Fertilizers That Contain Pesticides
15-16-4-64. Submission of Pesticide Formula; Registration; Notification; Penalties
15-16-4-65. Confidential Information
15-16-4-66. Distribution of Unregistered, Adulterated, and Misbranded Products Prohibited
15-16-4-67. Handling and Storage
15-16-4-68. Disposal and Storage
15-16-4-69. Violations; Penalties; Disposition of Penalties
15-16-4-70. Examination of Pesticide Products; Proceedings; Prosecution
15-16-4-72. Publication of Judgments
15-16-4-73. Stop Sale Orders; Notification
15-16-4-74. Condemnation and Confiscation
15-16-4-75. Condemned Pesticides Disposal