State lawmakers are casting the final votes on contentious pesticide bills.
Garnering much of the most criticism from farm groups is Assembly Bill 1963 on paraquat. It would task the Department of Pesticide Regulation with reevaluating the herbicide by 2029. The author, Asm. Laura Friedman of Glendale, initially called for a complete ban on the products. Critics described the claims of harm as unsubstantiated.
Friedman is also proposing to ban first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides to protect wildlife, building on an existing ban for certain rat poisons. The first incarnation of AB 2552 would have enabled residents to sue pesticide retailers on behalf of animals. An ag coalition is urging lawmakers to support the scientific process and not circumvent DPR’s regulatory authority.
Unlike Friedman, Asm. Damon Connolly of San Rafael was able to strike a compromise that removed most of the opposition to his bill on pesticides near schools. AB 1864 would set new requirements on notices of intent for applications within a quarter mile of public and private schools.
It’s easy to be “in the know” about agriculture news from coast to coast! Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse news. Simply click here.
Connolly has removed a list of nonrestricted pesticides he had sought to specifically target with the requirements. Yet the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association remains opposed over concerns of saddling them with an unfunded mandate.
The Legislature has passed the measure along with his AB 99. Connolly has revived a ban on applying glyphosate along roadsides under the auspices of integrated pest management. Ag opponents warned AB 99 would raise costs and stymy wildfire prevention efforts.
Keep in mind: The ink has yet to dry on AB 2113, a bill Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last month to raise the mill assessment.
Ag lobbyists pressed lawmakers to ensure some of the added revenue is spent on speeding up DPR’s notoriously sluggish registration process for new products to replace ones on the chopping block in California.
