AGRICULTURE-FERTILIZER ACT

Amends the Illinois Fertilizer Act of 1961. Prohibits any applicator for hire from applying fertilizer material containing phosphorus to any parcel of turfgrass except as demonstrated to be necessary by a soil test conducted no more than 36 months before the intended application by a laboratory already identified and approved by the Department of Agriculture, unless the fertilizer material is a 0% phosphate fertilizer or a person is establishing turfgrass in the first growing season. Restricts the application of fertilizer material on impervious surfaces, near bodies of water, and when the ground is frozen. Enlarges the Department's rulemaking powers under the Act. Exempts the following types of property from the requirements of the Act: property used in the operation of a commercial farm, lands classified as agricultural lands, and golf courses. Authorizes local government code enforcement officers to issue notices of violation. Limits home rule powers. Defines "applicator for hire", "buffer", "frozen ground", "impervious surface", "saturated ground", "soil test", "soil test lab", "spreader", "turfgrass", and "0% phosphate fertilizer". Amends the Clerks of Courts Act. Provides that fines imposed under the Illinois Fertilizer Act of 1961 as a result of the issuance of a notice of violation by a code enforcement officer of a unit of local government shall be returned to the unit of local government that issued the notice of violation, and that the fines imposed under that Act as a result of the issuance of a notice of violation by the Department of Agriculture shall be deposited into the Fertilizer Control Fund. Effective July 1, 2010.