SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1054

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

    Agriculture & Rural Economic Development, April 2, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the duties of the commission on pesticide registration.

Brief Description:  Giving direction to the commission on pesticide registration.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives G. Chandler, Linville, Schoesler, Clements, Grant, Anderson, Parlette, Dunshee and Cooper).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  4/2/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Gardner, Honeyford, Morton, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background:  In 1995, the Commission on Pesticide Registration was created in response to the passage of the Food Quality Protection Act by Congress that requires pesticides meet new registration requirements.  The scope of the commission's work was limited to conducting studies and activities specifically related to the registration of pesticides.

Current law defines integrated pest management as 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.

The commission is comprised of 12 voting members appointed by the Governor.  Official action requires support by seven of the 12 voting members.

Summary of Bill:  Added to the Commission on Pesticide Registration's authorities are research, implementation, and demonstration of any aspect of integrated pest management and pesticide resistance management programs.

Official action requires that at least seven voting members be present to have a quorum and that a majority of those present must vote in support.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The Pesticide Registration Commission=s authority should be expanded to allow for research on natural controls of pests and weeds to be developed and for refinement in integrated pesticide management.  These authorities will allow workable alternatives to pesticides to be developed and implemented.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Larry Ganders, WSU (pro); Dan Coyne, FarWest, Farm Credit (pro); Heather Hansen, WSCPR, WA Wine Grape Growers (pro).