Recognized soil-testing practices are the most effective means by which fertilizer and lime needs of fields, pastures and gardens can be determined for the growth of certain crops, plants and grasses. It is a means of providing the latest information available from research and experimental sources for fertilizers and limes needed for agricultural production. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to authorize the approval and certification of agricultural soil-testing laboratories which follow recommended uniform methods, procedures and standards for the soil and climatic conditions which prevail in the State of Alabama.

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, pursuant to rules and regulations adopted under this chapter as provided in this chapter and upon application therefor, is hereby authorized to approve and to certify soil-testing laboratories which meet the requirements as set forth in such rules and regulations.

The State Board of Agriculture and Industries is hereby authorized to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations which shall set forth and require uniform methods, procedures and standards to be followed by soil-testing laboratories in determining the fertilizer and lime needed for agricultural crop, pasture and garden production where the results of such tests will be used for the sale, use and application of commercial fertilizers and limes. Such rules and regulations may provide for the qualifications and training of laboratory personnel, chemical and other procedures to be followed, soil extraction methods, use of calibration data, laboratory reports, method and manner of making recommendations for the fertilizer and lime needs of soils, procedure for check samples and other procedures, requirements and standards deemed necessary for the operation of an effective soil-testing laboratory. Such rules and regulations may also provide for recertification annually or more frequently when determined to be necessary and that any such approval and certification may be revoked for failure to maintain and follow certification requirements. The State Board of Agriculture and Industries is authorized to request technical information, advice, recommendations and other assistance from the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service of Auburn University as may be needed in adopting rules, regulations and other requirements for the administration of the provisions and requirements of this chapter.

No person, firm, partnership, corporation or association which maintains a soil-testing laboratory for agricultural purposes shall be required to comply with the provisions of this chapter as it is hereby intended that only those laboratories which desire to be certified under authority of this chapter shall be required to comply with its requirements. The agricultural soil-testing laboratory of Auburn University shall not in any way be affected by the requirements of this chapter, nor shall such laboratory be required to comply with any of its requirements.

Any person, firm, partnership, corporation or association who shall make any false or fraudulent representations that it is approved and certified by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries without complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as now provided by law for such an offense.