The Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) administers the state Pesticide Control Act and the state 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.

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.

Examinations are administered by WSDA, and WSDA collects a fee from the applicant for each exam at an amount set in rule.  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.

The bill as referred to committee not considered.

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.  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 $44.  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.

WSDA must collect a fee of $7 for each license issued by WSDA under the Pesticide Control Act and the Pesticide Application Act 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.

PRO:  License and registration fees have not been increased since 2008.  This bill will establish a proactive and more robust approach to pesticide compliance and training, increase staff, and, through outreach and education, reduce risk from pesticide applications.  Farmers are facing difficult economic times, but the benefits of this fee increase justify the expense.  Industry asked WSDA to prioritize training and enforcement of pesticide application safety requirements.  These additional resources are needed to ensure that all who want to be trained can be trained and those who are not can be identified and brought into compliance.  The fees in the proposed substitute are at the level that have been discussed with WSDA over the last year.  The fee increase will provide improved monitoring and training, will bring improved worker and public safety, and will bring an increased public confidence in having a robust pesticide enforcement system in the state. 

CON:  The bill does not contain language to require WSDA to deliver a more expedited service or commit resources to an expedited effort.  At a 33 percent increase, it is appropriate to ensure that there is a more streamlined process for those taking on the increased fees.  There is support for WSDA and the work they do, but there is not support for huge fee increases all at once.  A gradual fee increase over time would be better.    

OTHER:  This fee increase will allow WSDA to upgrade to allow for electronic filing and electronic payments.  The fee increases will allow WSDA to upgrade the license database.  Both fee increases will support additional personnel for compliance and education.  The programs funded by these fee increases are essential, critical to the state's agricultural industry.  Under normal circumstances, industry would support these fee increases, but these are not normal circumstances.  Delaying the increase in fees until January of next year would help farmers get through this year.  There needs to be oversight of these products and the program needs to be funded adequately.