Current State Legislation Update

ALASKA: The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has proposed a rule to revise the state law on pesticide control by requiring custom, commercial and contract applicators to keep records of general use pesticides, as well as restricted use pesticides, for at least two years after their application. Under current law, these applicators are only required to keep records on restricted-use pesticides. According to the DEC, many applicators already keep records of general use pesticides and the department has found such information "to be of value in helping the public and the applicators themselves with questions regarding pesticide use." For more information visit www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ENV.CONSERV/dec_cal.htm#Regulation.

GEORGIA: The governor signed S.R. 142, a resolution to create a joint comprehensive water plan study committee to help prepare a new comprehensive state water plan by studying state water quality and quantity issues.

The governor also signed S.B. 14, a bill that provides for an increase in the state minimum wage from $3.25 per hour to $5.15 per hour.

S.B. 130 - to create the metropolitan North Georgia water planning district to address water management needs in the Atlanta area - was also signed by the governor.

HAWAII: S.B. 606 - to allow facilities to connect to available recycled water service - passed the House and was sent to the Senate for concurrence.

INDIANA: H.B. 1290 - a bill to prohibit the application of certain pesticides on public grounds and golf courses during hours when the public has access to the area - died in committee.

MARYLAND: S.B. 710 - to promote and encourage the use of reclaimed water to irrigate golf courses - died in the House committee.

NEW MEXICO: The governor vetoed H.B. 343, a bill that would have increased the state minimum wage to the current federal minimum wage.

NEW YORK: The Assembly passed A. 462, a bill to require a study of integrated pest management at state facilities. The use of all pesticides classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as category I or II toxicity would be banned, according to the bill's definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

NORTH DAKOTA: S.B. 2167 - to require all commercial and custom pesticide applicators to become certified to use general use pesticides - has been signed by the governor.

The governor also signed S.B. 2419, which repeals the requirement of commercial pesticide applicators to provide proof of financial responsibility before being issued a state applicator's license.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: H.B. 186 - to create a pesticide training program to provide education to commercial pesticide applicators - passed the House and has been sent to the Senate.