SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2300
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Agriculture, February 24, 2004
Title: An act relating to applying pesticides.
Brief Description: Applying pesticides.
Sponsors: House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, Schoesler and McMorris; by request of Department of Agriculture).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture: 2/19/04, 2/24/04 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Swecker, Chair; Brandland, Vice Chair; Jacobsen, Rasmussen and Sheahan.
Staff: Bob Lee (786-7404)
Background: To apply restricted use pesticides to agricultural and associated lands, a person must be licensed with the Department of Agriculture as a private applicator. To receive a license, the person must pass a test that demonstrates knowledge of the proper use of pesticides and pay the required fees. A manual is produced by Washington State University Cooperative Extension as a guide to prepare for the test. A license is valid for five years. To renew the license, the applicator must have accumulated at least 20 re-certification credits. A licensed private applicator may apply pest control products for four types of crop pests: weeds, insects, diseases, and rodents.
In 1999, legislation was enacted that established a pilot project for a four-county region for the utilization of a "limited" private applicator license and geared the education and testing requirements to a limited scope of activities. This pilot project legislation expires on December 31, 2004. A report on the results of the pilot project was prepared by the Department of Agriculture.
Summary of Amended Bill: In addition to the licensed private applicator category, two additional categories of licensed applicators are established for a limited scope of activities.
A person licensed as a limited private applicator may apply restricted use pesticides limited to the control of weeds on non-productive agricultural lands which are defined as pastures, rangeland, fence rows, around farm buildings, and those specific timber areas designated for control by local noxious weed control boards.
A person licensed as a rancher private applicator may apply restricted use pesticides limited to the control of weeds and rodents. The areas that this license may be used are non-productive agricultural lands (defined above), those specific timber areas designated for control by local noxious weed control boards established under Chapter 17.04, 17.06, and 17.10 RCW, and limited production agricultural lands. Limited production agricultural lands are those lands that grow hay or grain crops which are consumed by livestock on the farm where produced. Not more that 10 percent of these crops may be sold.
The testing and re-certification requirements are geared to the scope of activities that the licensee is allowed to conduct. These two limited license categories are available in areas east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. These licenses do not permit applications to aquatic sites.
The fee for a private applicator is $25 annually. The fee for a limited private applicator is $25 for a five-year license. The fee for a rancher private applicator license is $75 for a five-year license.
Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill: The amendment includes reference to all three kinds of local weed control entities. The renewal intervals for limited private applicators and rancher private applicator licenses are clarified.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2005.
Testimony For: The pilot project was successful in providing increased levels of participation in programs that provide training to limited applicators. Increased training provides better knowledge of applicators of the proper use of herbicides, a better understanding of how to read pesticide labels and of compliance with pesticide applications.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: PRO: Rob Kananaugh; Leslie Emerick, WSDA; Sheilah Kennedy, Okanogan Co. Weed Board; Steve McGanigal, WA State Noxious Weed Control Board; Dan Coyne, Far West Agri Business, Rise, CLA.