TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:
Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, O.C.G.A. §§ 43-45-8 and 50-13-4, notice is hereby given that the Georgia Department of Agriculture (“Department”) and the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission (“Commission”) will hold a public hearing on October 9, 2020, at 9:00 A.M. via Zoom video and teleconference.
Said hearing shall be for the purpose of considering adoption of Chapter 620-9 entitled “Control and Removal of Honeybees from Structures.” Written comments will be accepted from September 9, 2020, to the close of business (4:30 pm ET) on October 9, 2020.
SYNOPSIS, MAIN FEATURES AND DIFFERENCES:
The Commission is proposing to adopt Chapter 620-9 entitled “Control and Removal of Honeybees from Structures.” Specifically, the Commission is proposing to adopt Rule 620-9-.01 entitled “Definitions” which would define terminology necessary for administration of the proposed Chapter. Proposed Rule 620-9-.02 entitled “General Requirements” would set forth the requirements for the control and removal of honeybees from structures in Georgia. Specifically, the rule would clarify that the use of any “pesticide” to control, remove, or eliminate honeybees in, on, or under a structured is considered household pest control and requires a Household Pest Control License. The Rule would also clarify that “Honeybee control and removal” is limited to the control and removal of honeybees. The control, removal, or elimination of other types of bees requires a Household Pest Control license as defined in Rule 620-2-.01(s).
In addition, proposed Rule 620-9-.02 would require a honeybee control and removal contract be issued on all honeybee control and removal jobs in accordance with requirements of the Fair Business Practices Act of 1975, and the rules of the Federal Trade Commission, 16 C.F.R. 429, including disclosure by the licensee of the three (3) day right of cancellation. The terms of any contract extension beyond the original terms must be indicated on the contract. Likewise, the Rule would require honeybee control and removal jobs include the removal of all honeybees, honeycomb, honey, and wax from the structure including, but not limited to, all voids which must be properly sealed following control and removal Furthermore, proposed Rule 620-9-.02 would require any person engaging in honeybee control and removal be a Certified Bee Control and Removal Operator and hold a Structural Pest Control Company License in the Operational Category of Honeybee Removal. Before being issued a honeybee removal operator certification, the applicant would be required to provide the Commission with satisfactory evidence of his or her qualifications including the following: (a) Completed application form; (b) Documentation certifying completion of the University of Georgia Certified Beekeeper Program; and (c) Payment of an Operator Certification Fee.
The Rule would also provide for recertification. Specifically, certified honeybee removal operators would be required to complete one of the following requirements prior to expiration of the five (5) year certification period: (a) Complete a University of Georgia workshop on Bee Removal and Relocation; or (b) Retake and pass the University of Georgia Certified Beekeeper Program.
Proposed Rule 620-9-.03 entitled “Exceptions” would clarify that a Honeybee Removal license and Certified Honeybee Control and Removal Operator shall not be required for the control and removal of honeybees if the licensee holds a Household Pest Control license.
COMMENT PERIOD AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Department and Commission will be accepting written comments from September 9, 2020, to the close of business (4:30 pm ET) on October 9, 2020. A public hearing will be held on October 9, 2020, at 9:00 A.M. via Zoom video and teleconference:
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Meeting ID: 859 0350 1405
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Meeting ID: 859 0350 1405
All comments will be considered on October 12, 2020. Please submit written comments to:
Derrick Lastinger, Vice Chairman
Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission
19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Telephone Number: (404) 656-3641
Fax Number: (404) 463-6671
Email Address: SPCC@agr.georgia.gov
Interested persons may call or submit a written request to obtain a copy of the proposed rules. A copy of the synopsis and the proposed Chapter may be downloaded from the Georgia Department of Agriculture website at www.agr.georgia.gov. To request a copy, contact Derrick Lastinger at 404-656-3641 or submit the written request to Derrick.Lastinger@agr.georgia.gov or 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30334.
This notice is given in compliance with the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4.
