80-8-203. Commercial applicator. (1) It is unlawful for a person to engage in the business of applying pesticides for another without a pesticide applicator's license obtained from the department of agriculture. An application for a pesticide applicator's license must be accompanied by a fee of $75. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a person employed only to operate equipment used for the application of a pesticide if the person has no financial interest or other control over the equipment other than its day-to-day mechanical operation for the purpose of applying any pesticide.

(2) Public utility applicators must be licensed in the same manner as commercial applicators, provided that public utility operators working under public utility applicators are not required to be licensed except as provided in 80-8-205.

(3) A veterinarian licensed as provided in Title 37, chapter 18, part 3, is not required to be licensed to apply nonrestricted pesticides, provided that the veterinarian registers with the department each year. The veterinarian must meet all other requirements and rules of the Montana Pesticides Act. The department shall consider the professional licensing requirements for veterinarians when adopting rules in relation to transactions and activities of a veterinary practice.

(4) An applicator is responsible for the use of any pesticide by an operator or employee under the applicator's supervision or employment.

(5) The department shall assess an additional annual license fee of $10 on applicators to fund the waste pesticide and pesticide container collection, disposal, and recycling program. The department may by rule adjust the disposal fee to maintain adequate funding for the administration of the waste pesticide and pesticide container collection, disposal, and recycling program. The fee may not be less than $10 a year or more than $15 a year. Fees collected under this subsection must be deposited in the state special revenue account pursuant to 80-8-112.