Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Bills would add a PNW representative to the EPA and make changes to the Washington Pesticide Application Act
Two workers spray a field with pesticides.
COLFAX- Two bills related to crop-protection products passed in Olympia over the last week. Both bills were sponsored by Central Washington lawmaker, Nikki Torres, and are moving to the House of Representatives after receiving support from the Senate.
Senate Bill (SB) 5143 had a unanimous vote of 49-0 on the Senate floor on March 2. This bill would change the name and membership of the Commission on pesticide Registration and add a representative from the Pacific Northwest region of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as a non-voting member in Seattle.
The Senate also unanimously voted in support of SB 5330.
SB 5330 would make changes to the Washington Pesticide Application Act. As requested by the Washington Department of Agriculture, it would allow the WSDA director to suspend or revoke a license or certification based on decisions made by another jurisdiction under certain conditions.
This bill would also remove the requirement that applicants be at least 16 years old on the date the application is submitted and would add a requirement that WSDA adopts standards for pesticide applications made by non-certified individuals.
"This bill is critical to the safety and well-being of both the user and those living in the general vicinity of the widespread use of crop-protection products," said Torres, R-Pasco. "It is the first step in implementing Washington's EPA-approved plan to ensure that pesticides are used safely, with minimal negative impacts to health and the environment."
Both measures are now in the House of Representatives, awaiting that chamber's consideration.
SB 5143 has been referred to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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