A. Fees paid for the licenses, certificates and permits required under the Plant Protection Act shall be set by regulation of the board, but shall not exceed the following amounts: (1) annual inspection fee of nursery and nursery stock, seventy-five dollars ($75.00) plus two dollars ($2.00) per acre of nursery stock inspected; (2) annual special inspection fee for person growing only vegetable plants, twenty-five dollars ($25.00); (3) annual nursery or florist dealer's, landscaper's or agent's license fee, seventy-five dollars ($75.00); (4) annual special dealer's license for persons who handle only vegetable or cactus plants, twenty-five dollars ($25.00); and (5) annual fee for collected plants permit, seventy-five dollars ($75.00). B. If the application for renewal of any annual license, permit or certificate provided for in the Plant Protection Act is not filed prior to the expiration of the prior license, permit or certificate, the fee for such license, permit or certificate shall be double the amount specified in this section. However, this double fee shall not apply if the applicant has not engaged in business subsequent to the expiration of his license, permit or certificate, and furnishes an affidavit certifying to that fact. C. The board may adopt regulations to exempt a person from the payment of fees. 1953 Comp., § 45-8-36.1, enacted by Laws 1973, ch. 97, § 15; 1979, ch. 193, § 9.