HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1486

                       As Passed House

                       March 11, 1991

Title:  An act relating to integrated pest management.

Brief Description:  Establishing new integrated pest management procedures.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Rust, Belcher, Horn, Valle, Brekke, Pruitt and Jacobsen).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, February 19, 1991, DPS;

Passed House, March 11, 1991, 94-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1486 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Edmondson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Brekke; G. Fisher; Neher; Phillips; Pruitt; D. Sommers; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  The term "integrated pest management" (IPM) refers to a philosophy of controlling pests that incorporates several kinds of control strategies including cultural practices, biological controls, and the application of pesticides.  IPM is not defined in current state law.

By law, persons who commercially apply pesticides on the lands of others must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture.  To be licensed, pesticide applicators must pass an examination and pay a licensing fee.  To renew a license, pesticide applicators must complete 20 to 40 hours of coursework over a five year period and pay a license renewal fee. 

All state agencies and local governments may purchase pesticides through a state contract managed by the Department of General Administration.  Non-pesticide pest control products are generally not available through current state contracts.

Summary of Bill:  The term "integrated pest management" is defined.  Persons applying for a pesticide applicator license must demonstrate knowledge of IPM as part of the required examination.

The Department of General Administration is directed to make its contracts for pesticides consistent with integrated pest management as defined in the bill.  The department's contract is to include provisions for education and technical assistance when feasible.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 13, 1991.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  All persons testifying supported the bill.  Several testifiers supported making the definition of IPM consistent with the definition in HB 1426.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Ann Liu, Washington Toxics Coalition (pro); Grant Fredricks, Deputy Director of General Administration (pro); Ray Shindler, Washington Asparagus Growers, Washington Cranberry Alliance, Intermountain Grass Growers, and Aerial Applications (pro); Marlin Davis, Washington State University (pro); and Mark Tripplett.