SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2378

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development, February 23, 2000

Title:  An act relating to structural pest inspections.

Brief Description:  Regulating structural pest inspections.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, G. Chandler and Haigh; by request of Department of Agriculture).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  2/16/2000, 2/23/2000 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

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

Staff:  Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background:  In 1991, legislation was enacted that requires all structural pest inspectors to be licensed.  The legislation also authorized the Department of Agriculture to establish criteria governing the conduct of structural pest inspections.

A multi-interest advisory group was formed in 1998 to address a number of compliance issues including the operation of unlicensed operators, establishing a system to track structural pest inspections and issues related to damages suffered from faulty inspections.

Summary of Amended Bill:  When a wood destroying organism inspection report is issued in conjunction with the transfer, exchange, or refinancing of any structure, the report must have a unique inspection control number.

To perform structural pest inspections, the licensed structural pest inspector must carry either a minimum of $25,000 surety bond or errors and omissions insurance policy of at least $50,000.

It is unlawful for any person to advertise as a licensed structural pest inspector without holding a pest control license in the category of structural pest inspector.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The same unique inspection number is to be used on all inspection reports completed by the same inspector for the same transaction.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on July 1, 2000.

Testimony For:  Home buyers have suffered financial losses from inadequate structural pest inspectors who were not properly trained and licensed.  Bonding and insurance requirements will provide additional protection to home buyers in case an error is made during a structural pest inspection.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Mary Beth Lang, Dept. of Agriculture; Art Losey, WA State Pest Control Assn.