(1) The department shall adopt by rule, pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, and implement a comprehensive citrus health plan to minimize the impact of exotic citrus pests and diseases to citrus production and to allow for the orderly marketing of citrus fruit in other states and countries.

(2) Regulation of the removal or destruction of citrus trees pursuant to this section is hereby preempted to the state. No county, municipal, or other local ordinance or other regulation that would otherwise impose requirements, restrictions, or conditions upon the department or its contractors with respect to the removal or destruction of citrus trees pursuant to this section shall be enforceable against the department or its contractors.

(3) The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, regarding the conditions under which citrus plants can be grown, moved, and planted in this state as may be necessary for the control or prevention of the dissemination of citrus diseases. Such rules shall be in effect for any period during which, in the judgment of the Commissioner of Agriculture, there is the threat of the spread of citrus diseases in the state.

(4) The department shall develop by rule, pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, a statewide program of decontamination to prevent and limit the spread of citrus canker disease. Such program shall address the application of decontamination procedures and practices to all citrus plants and plant products, vehicles, equipment, machinery, tools, objects, and persons who could in any way spread or aid in the spreading of citrus canker in this state. In order to prevent contamination of soil and water, such rules shall be developed in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection. The department may develop compliance and other agreements which it determines can aid in the carrying out of the purposes of this section, and enter into such agreements with any person or entity.

(5) Owners or operators of nonproduction vehicles and equipment shall follow the department guidelines for citrus canker decontamination effective June 15, 2000.

(6) Notwithstanding any provision of law, the Department of Environmental Protection is not authorized to institute proceedings against any person under the provisions of s. 376.307(5) to recover any costs or damages associated with contamination of soil or water, or the evaluation, assessment, or remediation of contamination of soil or water, including sampling, analysis, and restoration of soil or potable water supplies, where the contamination of soil or water is determined to be the result of a program of decontamination to prevent and limit the spread of citrus canker disease pursuant to rules developed under this section. This subsection does not limit regulatory authority under a federally delegated or approved program.

(7) Upon request of the department, the sheriff or chief law enforcement officer of each county in the state shall provide assistance in obtaining access to private property for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this section. The sheriff or chief law enforcement officer shall be responsible for maintaining public order during the citrus disease management process and protecting the safety of department employees, representatives, and agents charged with implementing and enforcing the provisions of this section. The department may reimburse the sheriff or chief law enforcement officer for the reasonable costs of implementing the provisions of this subsection.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-128; s. 29, ch. 99-391; s. 2, ch. 2000-308; ss. 1, 4, ch. 2002-11; s. 30, ch. 2002-402; s. 57, ch. 2003-399; s. 3, ch. 2004-52; s. 1, ch. 2004-254; s. 1, ch. 2005-26; s. 2, ch. 2006-45.