HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5077

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Agriculture & Ecology

Title:  An act relating to integrated pest management.

Brief Description:  Requiring integrated pest management.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment (originally sponsored by Senators Morton, Rasmussen, Newhouse and Loveland).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Ecology:  4/2/97, 4/3/97 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Chandler, Chairman; Parlette, Vice Chairman; Schoesler, Vice Chairman; Linville, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cooper; Delvin; Koster; Mastin; Regala and Sump.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:  The Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources was created by statute at Washington State University.  State law directs that among the center's primary activities are research programs which focus on developing possible alternative production and marketing systems through integrated pest management.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Each of the following must implement integrated pest management practices when carrying out their duties related to pest control:  the departments of Agriculture, Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, Transportation, Natural Resources, Corrections, and General Administration; the Parks and Recreation Commission; the State Noxious Weed Control Board; and each state institution of higher education (for the institution's own building and grounds maintenance).  Each must provide integrated pest management training for employees responsible for pest management and designate an integrated pest management coordinator. 

An Interagency Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee (IIPMC) is created.  The committee is composed of the integrated pest management coordinators of the agencies and institutions, a representative of the Department of Labor and Industries, and a representative of the Office of  Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The coordinator from the Department of Agriculture serves as the chair of the committee.

The IIPMC must share information among the state agencies and institutions and facilitate interagency coordination.  It must meet two times a year, following public notice.  All meetings of the committee must be open to the public. 

The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the IIPMC, must prepare reports biennially through the year 2001 regarding the progress of integrated pest management programs.  The reports must be made available through the state library.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  Added by the amendment are the provisions requiring reports to be made available through the state library and adding the null and void clause.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.  However, the provisions of the bill establishing integrated pest management, training, and coordination requirements are null and void if not funded in the budget.

Testimony For:  The bill as amended is the version of the integrated pest management bill passed by the House.  It routes reports to the state library and contains a null and void clause.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ray Shindler, Washington Friends of Farms and Forests and Wheat Growers Association (in favor).