SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5913

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES,

                                 MARCH 5, 1991

Brief Description:  Providing urban property owners the option of notifying persons of a pesticide application.

SPONSORS:Senators Barr, Hansen and Bailey.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5913 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  John Stuhlmiller (786‑7446)

Hearing Dates:March 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Interest has been expressed in creating an information and posting process for residential pesticide applications. 

SUMMARY:

When pesticides are to be applied by a certified applicator to public and private school yards, day care centers, parks, playgrounds, or residential property, the applicator is required to provide the owner or owner's representative with the option of posting their property.  If the owner or owner's representative chooses to have the property posted, the applicator is required to provide signs.  Applicators are also required to make available all pesticide label information to the owner or owner's representative.

If signs are requested, they must be posted at the time of the application and must remain in place for at least the following 24 hours.  The signs must contain the name and telephone number  of the applicator.

The Department of Agriculture is directed to adopt rules establishing the size and lettering requirements of signs.

State and local health departments and mosquito control districts are exempt from posting and notification requirements.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Technical changes are made to clarify that both the posting and provision of pesticide label information is optional.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Mandatory posting should not be required for pesticides which are available over the counter.  None of the pesticides applied in the urban environment have re-entry intervals.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

This bill does not go far enough.

TESTIFIED:  William C. Barber, Aard Pest Control (pro); Bruce Briggs, WSNLA Western Washington Hort.; Ed Walter, WA Tree Service, Inc. (pro); Peter Tovoli, Pete's Spray Service, Inc. (pro); Corey Chantry, All Seasons Pest Control (pro); Don E. Long, Long Pest Control, Inc. (pro); Bill Roberts, WA State Farm Bureau (pro); Larry M. Rusin, Aegis Pest Control Co. (pro); Duane Roundy, AAA Pest Control (pro); Senator Murray (con)