Dent legislation creating the Pesticide Advisory Board passes House
CONTACT: Kurt Hammond, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-7794
Dent legislation creating the Pesticide Advisory Board passes House
Legislation that would create the Pesticide Advisory Board unanimously passed the state House of Representatives on Tuesday.
House Bill 1019, sponsored by Rep. Tom Dent, would create the Pesticide Advisory Board to advise the Washington State Department of Agriculture on pesticide-related actions.
A board was in place that advised the department on pesticide issues, but was eliminated along with a number of other boards in 2010 during the recession to save the state money in the operating budget.
“It is time to restore this advisory board and include members who have firsthand knowledge of pesticides and their use. The department needs the best input and feedback available. This isn't just about farms and ranches, homeowners are the number one users of pesticides,” said Dent, R-Moses Lake. “I am hopeful a more formal and permanent advisory board to advise the department on pesticide-related actions should result in more fair and consistent regulations. Agency officials are trying to do their jobs, but they may not have as much knowledge on the issues as stakeholders.”
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on April 23.
