SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5125

                As Passed Senate, March 3, 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:  Senators Loveland, Rasmussen, Morton, Stevens, T. Sheldon and Honeyford.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  1/27/99, 2/3/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/3/99, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Gardner, Honeyford, Morton, Prentice, Snyder, 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 scope of authority of the Pesticide Registration Commission is too limiting.  In addition to conducting studies relating to re-registration of pesticides, the commission should also be authorized to conduct research into integrated pest management strategies which includes the use of non-chemical control strategies.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Heather Hansen, Bob Berger, WSCPR; Larry Ganders, WSU.

House Amendment(s):  It is clarified that an appropriation made to or legislatively intended for the Commission on Pesticide Registration may be utilized for research of integrated pest management and pesticide resistance management programs.