Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Rural Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
SSB 5317
Brief Description: Concerning pesticide registration and pesticide licensing fees.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Senator Warnick; by request of Department of Agriculture).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Increases pesticide registration and license fees under the Pesticide Control Act and Pesticide Application Act.
  • Establishes a fee of $7 on each pesticide license to provide a pesticide safety education program at Washington State University.
Hearing Date: 3/19/21
Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).
Background:

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) administers the state Pesticide Control Act and Pesticide Application Act.  Its activities include adopting rules requiring the registration and restricted use of pesticides, testing and certifying pesticide applicators, issuing handler and worker pesticide training documentation, and providing technical assistance to pesticide applicators and workers.


Pesticide Registration.


All pesticides distributed in the state, or transported in intrastate commerce or between two locations in the state, must be registered with the WSDA.  Registrations apply for two years and expire on December 31.  Registrations in the second year of a registration period expire December 31 of the second year of the applicant's registration period.  The fees for a pesticide registration application is $390, and $195 for each additional pesticide applied for in the second year of the applicant's registration period.  Registration is not required for:  (1) pesticides transported between two locations operated by the same person and used solely as a constituent part to a registered pesticide; or (2) pesticides used for experimental purposes under a written permit from the Director of the WSDA.


Pesticide Licenses.


In order to apply pesticides in certain contexts, perform structural pest inspections, or sell or consult pesticides not intended for personal use by the general public or around a residence, a person must be licensed by the WSDA.  License classifications address the control of a variety of pests, including insects and diseases, pest animals in agricultural situations, aquatic pests both generally and in irrigation systems, and weeds.  There are also licenses for pest control operators and structural pest inspectors.  All individuals who are licensed or who are required to be licensed as pesticide applicators, pesticide operators, structural pest inspectors, and pest control consultants, must be certified through examination in the area in which they operate or consult.  To be certified, a person must attain a passing score of at least 70 percent on a certification examination.  
Summary of Substitute Bill:

Pesticide Registration.


Pesticide registration fees are increased from $390 to $650 and from $195 to $325 for a registrant who is applying to register an additional pesticide.  The WSDA must post a timeline for processing complete pesticide registrations on its website.


Pesticide Licenses.


License Fee Changes.


Pesticide dealer license fees are increased from $67 to $88.  Pesticide dealer manager license fees are increased from $33 to $43.  Structural pest inspector license fees are increased from $60 to $78.  Pest control consultant license fees are increased from $60 to $78.  Public pest control consultant license fees are increased from $33 to $43.

 
Commercial applicator license fees are increased from $215 to $278.  A commercial operator license fee is increased from $67 to $88.  Private-commercial pesticide applicator license fees are increased from $33 to $43. Private applicator license fees are increased from $33 to $43 and limited private applicator license fees are set at $33.  Rancher private applicator license fees are increased to $103.  Fees for a demonstration and research license are increased to $43. Public operator license fees are increased from $33 to $43. 


Pesticide Safety Education Program Fee.


The WSDA must collect a fee of $7 for each license issued by the WSDA and transmit the $7 fee to Washington State University for providing a pesticide safety education program to educate and train pesticide licensees and prospective licensees. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.