| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee | |
HB 2429
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Establishing a work group to study the roadside application of pesticides.
Sponsors: Representatives Campbell, Chase, Morrell, Hunter, Appleton, Hudgins, Rolfes and Upthegrove.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/24/08
Staff: Colleen Kerr (786-7168).
Background:
Washington statutorily mandates noxious weed control in and around agricultural areas,
including along roadways, to protect the state's economic and ecological interests. The
Department of Transportation (WSDOT) maintains the state's Roadside Vegetation Management
Program, which both cares for and controls vegetation growth on the roadside. The WSDOT
uses roadside pesticides to maintain a vegetation free strip on the side of the road where
necessary and to selectively control and eliminate undesirable plants.
Summary of Bill:
The Department of Health (DOH) must convene a work group to study policies, strategies, and
alternatives to the use of roadside pesticides and make recommendations to the Legislature on
practical, cost-effective opportunities to reduce or eliminate the use of roadside pesticides based
on such findings.
The workgroup must include representatives from the DOH, the Pesticide Incident Reporting and
Tracking Review Panel, the State Noxious Weed Board, WSDOT, the Department of Ecology,
and the Department of Agriculture, local governments, industry, nongovernmental organizations,
and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate by the DOH.
The workgroup shall take the following into consideration: the environmental events of roadside
pesticides on people; existing data and research; monitoring data showing contamination from
roadside pesticide use on soil, groundwater, and water bodies; other state, regional, municipal, or
international practices; state laws, rules, fees, certification programs, incentives, and policies that
may reduce or eliminate the use of roadside pesticides; cost comparisons on alternatives to
roadside pesticide; and potential financial incentives and funding sources.
The workgroup will report to the Legislature by December 1, 2008. Recommendations must
include practical and cost-effective policies, strategies, and alternatives to reduce or eliminate the
use of roadside pesticides, and may include statutory or regulatory changes, incentives, and other
approaches.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.