2-2206. Examinations; prosecutions; stop sale orders; judicial review; inspections. (a) The examination of agricultural chemicals shall be made under the direction of the secretary, or an authorized representative of the secretary, for the purpose of determining whether they comply with the requirements of this act. If it appears from such examination that an agricultural chemical fails to comply with the provisions of this act and the secretary, or an authorized representative of the secretary, contemplates instituting criminal proceedings against any person, the secretary or the authorized representative of the secretary shall cause notice to be given to such person. Any person so notified shall be given an opportunity to present such person's views, either orally or in writing, with regard to such contemplated proceedings. If thereafter in the opinion of the secretary, or an authorized representative of the secretary, it appears that the provisions of the act have been violated by such person, then the secretary or an authorized representative of the secretary may refer the facts to the county attorney or district attorney for the county in which the violation occurred with a copy of the results of the analysis or the examination of such article. Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the secretary or the authorized representative of the secretary to report for prosecution or for the institution of libel proceedings any minor violations of the act whenever the secretary or the authorized representative of the secretary believes that the public interests will be best served by a suitable notice of warning in writing.

(b) It shall be the duty of each county attorney or district attorney to whom any such violation is reported to cause appropriate proceedings to be instituted and prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction without delay.

(c) The secretary, or an authorized representative of the secretary, is authorized to give notice of all judgments entered in actions instituted under the authority of this act by publication in such manner as the secretary may prescribe.

(d) The secretary or a duly authorized representative of the secretary, acting as the enforcing officer, may issue and enforce a written or printed stop sale, use or removal order to the owner or custodian of any quantity of an agricultural chemical which the secretary or duly authorized representative determines is adulterated or misbranded, is not registered as required under K.S.A. 2-2204, and amendments thereto, fails to bear on its label the required information, has an altered or defaced label or the pesticide product has pesticide or pesticide residue on the container or packaging. The stop sale, use or removal order shall prohibit further sale and movement of such agricultural chemical, except on approval of the enforcing officer, until the enforcing officer has evidence that the law and rules and regulations have been complied with and issues a release from the stop sale, use or removal order. Any stop sale, use or removal order issued pursuant to this subsection is subject to review in accordance with the Kansas judicial review act. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as limiting the right of the enforcement officer to proceed as authorized by other provisions of the statutes contained in article 22 of chapter 2 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto.

(e) The representative of the secretary may issue a stop sale, use or removal order for any pesticide product held for distribution to any pesticide dealer who has failed to register as a pesticide dealer under the requirements of K.S.A. 2-2469, and amendments thereto.

(f) During reasonable business hours, the secretary or secretary's representative shall have the authority to enter any locations where pesticides, pest control devices or pest control systems are being held for sale and distribution in order to conduct inspections, obtain samples and other evidence, obtain copies of records and otherwise document compliance with the provisions of this act.

History: L. 1947, ch. 10, § 6; L. 1985, ch. 9, § 3; L. 1986, ch. 318, § 13; L. 2009, ch. 128, § 6; L. 2010, ch. 17, § 10; July 1.