SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   EHB 1156

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES,

                                MARCH 28, 1991

Brief Description:  Regulating structural pest control inspectors.

SPONSORS:Representatives Winsley, Rayburn, Rasmussen, R. Johnson, Cole and Wilson.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Conner, Gaspard, Hansen, and Newhouse. 

Staff:  John Stuhlmiller (786‑7446)

Hearing Dates:March 26, 1991; March 28, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Pesticide Control Act requires pest control consultants to be licensed by the Department of Agriculture.  To obtain a license, consultants must demonstrate, through a written examination, their knowledge of pesticide laws and rules, pesticide hazards, and the safe distribution, use, application, and disposal of pesticides.

SUMMARY:

No individual may commercially perform the service of inspecting a building for the presence of pests destructive to structural components without first obtaining a pest control consultant license in the special category of structural pest control inspector.  The licensing fee for such individuals is $30.

Licensed pesticide applicators and operators are exempt from the special licensing requirement when acting within the authorities of those licenses.  Also exempt are governmental employees acting in their official governmental capacities and pesticide dealer managers and employees working exclusively at a licensed pesticide dealer's outlet.

The director is authorized to adopt rules governing structural pest control inspections.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

We need to stop the fraud which has taken place in carrying out structural pest inspections; there is currently no special licence guaranteeing that a person knows how to conduct an inspection.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Rep. Shirley Winsley (pro); Don Long, Long Pest Control (pro); Bill Barber, AARD Pest Control (pro); Margaret Tucker, Washington State Department of Agriculture