HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5653
As Reported by House Committee On:
Rural Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title: An act relating to changing the name of the commission on pesticide registration to the commission on integrated pest management.
Brief Description: Changing the name of the commission on pesticide registration to the commission on integrated pest management.
Sponsors: Senators Rolfes, Van De Wege and Warnick.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Rural Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/18/22, 2/22/22 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Changes the name of the Commission on Pesticide Registration to the Commission on Integrated Pest Management.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 14 members:Representatives Chapman, Chair; Shewmake, Vice Chair; Dent, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Fitzgibbon, Klicker, Kloba, Kretz, Lekanoff, McEntire, Morgan, Orcutt, Ramos, Schmick and Springer.
Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by 1 member:Representative Chandler, Ranking Minority Member.
Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).
Background:

The Commission on Pesticide Registration.


The Commission on Pesticide Registration (Commission) was created in 1995 to provide guidance concerning evaluations, studies, or investigations regarding registration or reregistration of pesticides for crops and uses considered to be minor in the national context and the availability of pesticides for emergency uses.  The Commission also assists agricultural organizations in providing funding; in-kind services; or materials for research, implementation, and demonstration of any aspect of integrated pest management and pesticide resistance management programs.


The Commission is made up of 12 voting members appointed by the Director of the Department of Agriculture.  The voting members include: 

  • eight members from various agricultural industries, including tree fruit growers, hop growers, potato growers, wheat growers, vegetable and seed growers, berry growers, wine grape growers, and the nursery and landscape industry; and
  • one member each from the forest protection industry, food processors, agricultural chemical industry, and professional pesticide applicators. 


There are five non-voting members on the Commission representing the departments of Agriculture, Health, Ecology, and Labor and Industries, and Washington State University. 


Integrated Pest Management.


Integrated pest management is a strategy that uses various combinations of pest control methods, biological, cultural, and chemical, in a compatible manner to achieve satisfactory control and ensure favorable economic and environmental consequences.
Summary of Bill:

The name of the Commission on Pesticide Registration is changed to the Commission on Integrated Pest Management.  
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The prime sponsor requested information from the Commission on Pesticide Registration (Commission) over the summer on pesticide registrations and was surprised to learn that the Commission does not actually register pesticides, but conducts pesticide research instead.  The Executive Director of the Commission suggested the change as long as nothing else about the Commission is changed.  Washington Friends of Farms and Forests supports the name change.  Washington has the most diverse temperate agriculture with over 400 crops, including well-known crops like apples and hops, and lesser-known crops like spinach seed.  In addition to agricultural pesticides, the Commission's work includes research on pesticides for pests that impact human health and pollinator health, and pesticides for structural pests such as termites.  The Commission consists of 12 members and several ex-officio members, and works closely with Washington State University on pesticide research.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Christine Rolfes, prime sponsor; and Heather Hansen, Washington Friends of Farms and Forests.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.