§ 163-a. Application. Any nursery grower or nursery dealer, except those nursery dealers selling, transporting, or handling for sale or otherwise disposing of nursery stock, exclusively consisting of indoor plants, at a retail level, desiring to sell, or selling, or handling for sale, or otherwise disposing of nursery stock in this state shall make application in writing to the commissioner upon a form prescribed by the commissioner. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars for a registration effective for two years from the date of issuance. The commissioner may exempt from the payment of such fees agencies or authorities of the state; county, city, town, or village governments; or other entities providing benefit to the general public, including but not limited to, botanical gardens.