578.30 Seed Technical Council.
578.30 Seed Technical Council.
(1) COMPOSITION. The Seed Technical Council is created within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and shall be composed of 11 members to be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture as follows:
(a) Two representatives of the department; one member representing the certified seed growers; one member representing the registered seed dealers; two members representing the vegetable industry; two members representing the agronomic industry; one member representing the greenhouse plant growers; one member representing field seed growers or processors; and one member representing the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Science.
(b) For the initial appointments, three members shall be appointed for 4-year terms, two members shall be appointed for 3-year terms, two members shall be appointed for 2-year terms, and two members and the department representatives shall be appointed for 1-year terms. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for a 4-year term, except the two department representatives who shall be appointed each year.
(c) If a vacancy occurs, it shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the same manner as an initial appointment.
(2) POWERS AND DUTIES. The Seed Technical Council shall:
(a) Consider and study all issues involving seed, seedlings, vegetative propagating materials, and plants.
(b) Review and make recommendations to the department on any seed matter.
(c) Advise and consult with the Commissioner of Agriculture and the directors of the divisions responsible for conducting the seed inspection program, at their request or upon its own initiative, regarding the promulgation, administration, and enforcement of all laws and rules relating to inspection, regulation, and certification.
(d) Consider all matters submitted to it by the Commissioner of Agriculture, the division directors, or other members of the council.
(e) Submit proposed legislation and rules to the Commissioner of Agriculture.
(f) Suggest policies and practices for the administration of this chapter to the Commissioner of Agriculture and the division directors, which they shall duly consider.
(3) MEETINGS; PROCEDURES; RECORDS. The council shall meet at least annually and elect a chair and a vice chair for 1-year terms.
(a) The council shall meet at the call of the chair, at the request of the department or a majority of the council membership, or at such times as may be prescribed by council rules.
(b) The Commissioner of Agriculture shall designate one of the department representatives to serve as the secretary of the council.
(c) In conducting its meetings, the council shall use accepted rules of procedure. The secretary shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of each meeting, which shall show the names of the members present at each meeting and the actions taken. The records shall be kept on file with the secretary and shall be public records.
(4) OFFICIAL ACTION. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum, and action by a majority of a quorum shall be official.
(5) PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES. Members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.
History. s. 9, ch. 93-29; s. 4, ch. 96-231; s. 14, ch. 96-407; s. 1187, ch. 97-103.