No person shall possess, sell, offer for sale, import, bring, or cause to be brought or imported into this State, or release or place into any waters of this State any of the following plants:
(1) Water Hyacinth
(2) Hydrilla Provided, however, that the department may issue special import permits to qualified persons for research purposes only.
The department shall prescribe the methods, control, and restrictions which are to be adhered to by any person or his agent to whom a special permit under the provisions of this section is issued. The department is authorized to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section and the department, by regulation, is specifically authorized to prohibit additional species of plants from being imported, possessed, or sold in this State when, in the discretion of the department, such species of plants are potentially dangerous.
HISTORY: 1983 Act No. 10, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1263.