ANALYSIS OF SB 5125

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                                      March 11, 1999

-Allows the Commission on Pesticide Registration to approve funding for studies on integrated pest management and pesticide resistence management.

-Broadens the types of expenditures that must be approved by the Commission.

-Alters voting requirements for official actions of the Commission.

BACKGROUND:

In general, pesticides are considered to be for minor crops or minor uses in the context of the federal pesticide registration process if the acreage on which the pesticides would potentially be used is Aminor@ on a national scale.  Crops such as apples that are a large part of this state's agricultural economy are considered to be "minor" crops in this national registration context.

The Commission on Pesticide Registration was created by statute in 1995.  (Chapter 390, Laws of 1995.)  The statutes creating the Commission also dedicate the use of state monies appropriated to Washington State University (WSU) specifically for studies or activities regarding pesticide registrations.  The use of these monies must be approved by the Commission.  The monies may be used for: (1) conducting studies concerning the registration of pesticides for minor crops and minor uses and the availability of pesticides for emergency uses; (2) a program for tracking the availability of pesticides for such crops and uses; and (3) the support of the Commission and its activities.  Not less than 25 percent of these monies must be dedicated to studies concerning the registration of pesticides for crops which are not among the top 20 agricultural commodities produced in the state.  (RCW 15.92.095)

The Commission is made up of 12 voting members appointed by the Governor representing 12 specified segments of the state's agricultural industry and five non-voting ex officio members.  A majority of the voting members constitutes a quorum and an official action of the Commission may be taken only by a majority vote of the voting members.  (RCW 15.92.090.)

SUMMARY:

The restrictions that currently apply to appropriations made to WSU specifically and expressly for studies or activities regarding the registration of pesticides now also apply to those specifically and expressly for the research, implementation, and demonstration of integrated pest management (IPM) and pesticide resistance management programs.  These appropriations may now expressly be used for evaluations, studies, or investigations approved by the Commission for such IPM and pesticide resistence management programs.  The restrictions established on the use of these types of appropriations to WSU also apply to state appropriations made for or received by the Commission.  (Section 2.)

Added to the duties of the Commission is the requirement that it encourage agricultural organizations to provide assistance for IPM and pesticide resistance management programs for minor crops and minor uses that would benefit the organizations.  (Section 3.)

An official action may now be taken by the Commission by a majority vote of its quorum, rather than a majority vote of the voting members.  (Section 1(4).)