Assigned to NRAE & COM                                                                                       FOR CAUCUS & FLOOR ACTION

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2144

 

structural pests; integrated pest management

 

Purpose

 

            Requires termite treatment reports be made available to property buyers and requires the Structural Pest Control Commission to establish guidelines for integrated pest management for structural pest control practices. Establishes an interim study committee on the SPCC with respect to the comprehensiveness of the information reported on termite treatments.

 

Background

 

            The Structural Pest Control Commission is required to regulate the structural pest control industry, including the licensure of companies and individuals that apply pesticides for structural pest control purposes.  State law requires certain standards to be met for treatment for wood infestation by pests such as termites.  These requirements include record keeping by the applicator relating to the treatment, including the type and quantity of chemical used.

 

            Concerns have recently been raised regarding the public’s lack of knowledge regarding the number of times a home or business has been subject to chemical treatment for wood-destroying organisms and the types of chemicals used.    High concentrations of pesticides remaining in and around homes that have been treated numerous times have been linked to incidences of pesticide poisoning of the occupants.  H.B. 2144 proposes to require the SPCC to report twice a year on the number and types of termite treatments required to be reported to the Commission.  This list is to be provided to the Legislature.  The bill would additionally require the Commission to provide to a property buyer, upon request, a list of all termite treatments to the subject property reported to the Commission for the past three years.

 

            Integrated pest management (IPM) is a pest control method used most commonly in the agricultural industry. Generally, IPM promotes minimized pesticide use, enhanced environmental stewardship and sustainable systems.   H.B. 2144 requires the SPCC to establish guidelines for an IPM program for structural pest control practices.

 

This fiscal impact of H.B. 2144 is unknown.

 

Provisions

 

Termite Treatment Reports

 

1.      Requires the SPCC to submit semiannual reports to the Legislature, the Governor and the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records on the number and type of termite treatments reported to the SPCC. This information shall be categorized according to the general type of treatment used and shall identify the active ingredient or trade name of any chemicals used in the treatment.

 

2.      Requires the first report to be submitted by April 30, 2002 for the period of July 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001.

 

3.      Allows a property buyer to request and obtain from the SPCC a report listing all termite treatments reported to the Commission for that property for the previous three years.  Requires wood infestation reports provided to property buyers to include a statement that the buyer can obtain the termite treatment report from the SPCC.

 

Integrated Pest Management for Structural Pest Control

 

4.      Requires the SPCC to develop guidelines for an integrated pest management program for structural pest control. Specifies the elements to be included in these guidelines, including the determination of tolerable pest population levels, the reliance on nontoxic, biological, cultural or mechanical pest management methods and the preference for the use of only those chemical pesticides that are the least harmful to human health and the environment.

 

5.      Defines integrated pest management to mean a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks.

 

6.      Requires the SPCC to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the progress of implementing the guidelines.

 

7.      Requires structural pest control licensees to advise persons requesting treatment for wood-destroying pests of options for integrated pest management as an alternative form of treatment. This is to be included in the required written recommendation on the treatment provided by the licensee to the person requesting the treatment.

 

8.      Requires continuing education requirements for structural pest control licensees (certified applicators and qualifying parties) to include instruction in integrated pest management.

 

Interim Study Committee on the SPCC

 

9.      Establishes a 7-member interim study committee to review and make recommendations on the comprehensiveness of the reporting requirements for termite treatments and other wood destroying organisms and the impacts on the SPCC’s funding requirements.  The committee consists of two members of the Senate, two members of the House of Representatives, two representatives of the structural pest control industry licensed by the SPCC and one member of the SPCC.

 

10.  Requires the Committee to report its findings and recommendations by December 15, 2001 to the Governor and the Legislature.  Repeals the Committee on January 15, 2002.

 

11.  Contains technical and conforming changes.

 

12.  Provides for a general effective date.

 

Amendments Adopted by the Commerce Committee

 

Defines integrated pest management and makes several technical corrections.

 

Amendments Adopted by the NRAE Committee

 

Adopted same amendment as Commerce Committee.

 

House Action                                                              Senate Action

 

ENV                2/13/01            DPA    6-0-4-0             COM        4/4/01        DPA      6-0-0-0

CED                2/26/01            DPA    9-0-0-1                         NRAE      4/5/01        DPA      5-0-3-0

Third Read       3/6/01                          37-21-2-1

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 9, 2001