1. (a) If a person fails to begin a program recommended by the weed control board to control and contain noxious weeds within the time prescribed in section 9 of this chapter, the weed control board may pay the following costs incurred in cutting or destroying noxious weeds under this chapter:

   1. (1) Chemicals.
   2. (2) Equipment.
   3. (3) Labor at a rate per hour to be fixed by the weed control board commensurate with local hourly wages.
2. (b) When the work has been performed, the person doing the work shall file an itemized bill for the work in the office of the weed control board. When the bill has been approved, the weed control board shall pay the bill from the county general fund unless the county has established a separate fund for the weed control board. The weed control board shall certify the cost of the work, adding to the bill twenty dollars ($20) per day for each day that a member of the weed control board or the board's agent supervises the performance of the services required under this chapter as compensation for services. The certified statement of costs must include a description of the real estate on which the labor was performed.

3. (c) The certified statement of costs prepared under subsection (b) must be provided:

   1. (1) to the owner or person possessing the real estate by:

      1. (A) certified mail; or
      2. (B) personal service; and

   2. (2) by mail to the state comptroller for any real estate owned by the state or to the fiscal officer of another municipality (as defined in IC 5-11-1-16 ) for real estate owned by the municipality.

      The statement must request that the person pay the cost of performing the service under subsection (b) to the weed control board.

      [Pre-2008 Recodification Citations: subsection (a) formerly 15-3-4.6-5.4(a); subsection (b) formerly 15-3-4.6-5.4(b); subsection

   3. (c) formerly 15-3-4.6-5.4(c).]

As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.9-2024, SEC.362.