Senate Passes Bill To Give ODA Regulation Over Invasive Plants

The Department of Agriculture would have exclusive authority to regulate invasive plant species under a bill that cleared the Senate Tuesday with broad support.  Sponsored by Sen. Gayle Manning, the bill is backed by the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association as a way to improve regulatory certainty across the state, she said.  Sen. Manning said ODA was the logical choice for the new duty, which is not currently assigned in state law. The agency already oversees noxious weed lists and regulates nurseries, she added.  The sponsor said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will have a role to play in regards to invasive species, in conjunction with ODA, as it relates to the regulation of wetlands.  The bill emerged from committee last week with strong support. It cleared the full Senate without debate on a 29-1 vote.