1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to nursery stock; providing for improved consumer education at the 
1.3 	point of retail sale; requiring a report to the legislature.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. CONSUMER EDUCATION; TOXICITY OF NURSERY STOCK.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Findings. The legislature finds that retail consumers of nursery 
1.7 	stock are frequently unaware that certain plant materials they purchase may, under certain 
1.8 	circumstances, be a safety risk to persons, livestock, or household pets exposed to the 
1.9 	plant materials.  The risk varies substantially depending on the variety and maturity of 
1.10 	plant material involved, the quantity ingested or exposed to the person, livestock, or pets, 
1.11 	and other factors.  Further, the legislature finds that the nursery industry has a strong 
1.12 	interest in continuing to work with the Department of Agriculture to provide consistent 
1.13 	customer service information to better inform consumers of risks.
1.14 		Subd. 2.Commissioner to coordinate. By March 1, 2007, the commissioner of 
1.15 	agriculture, in consultation with organizations of nursery stock growers, dealers, and 
1.16 	retailers, and other interested parties, shall recommend appropriate procedures and display 
1.17 	materials for increasing public awareness of the varying levels of toxic hazard posed by 
1.18 	certain nursery stock plants to livestock, household pets, and people.
1.19 		Subd. 3.Report to legislative committees. By April 1, 2007, the commissioner 
1.20 	of agriculture shall report to the standing committees of the senate and the house of 
1.21 	representatives with jurisdiction over agriculture policy on the results of efforts to increase 
1.22 	retail consumer awareness of potential toxic hazards posed by certain nursery stock.

1.23 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.1 	Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment.