SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 6252

              As Passed Senate, February 14, 2000

Title:  An act relating to structural pest inspections.

Brief Description:  Regulating structural pest inspections.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Morton, T. Sheldon, Swecker and Stevens; by request of Department of Agriculture.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  1/17/2000, 1/24/2000 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/14/2000, 42-4.

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 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 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.

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, Dan Suomi, Department of Agriculture; Rene Lamarche, American Society of Home Inspections, Carrenden Enterprises, Inc.; Tom Knox, House Master Home Inspections; Corey Chantry, All Seasons Pest Control.