BILL NUMBER: AB 2472 CHAPTERED 08/26/02 CHAPTER 242 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE AUGUST 26, 2002 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR AUGUST 24, 2002 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 12, 2002 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY MAY 29, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 21, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 14, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 1, 2002 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 11, 2002 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Simitian (Coauthor: Assembly Member Nation) FEBRUARY 21, 2002 An act to add Article 8 (commencing with Section 14717) to Chapter 2 of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to pesticides. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2472, Simitian. Pesticides. Existing law generally regulates the use of pesticides. Existing law, the Healthy Schools Act of 2000, provides that it is the policy of the state that effective least toxic pest management practices should be the preferred method of managing pests at schoolsites. Existing law requires the Department of Pesticide Regulation to promote and facilitate the voluntary adoption of integrated pest management programs, as defined, for all school districts that choose to do so. This bill would state various findings and declarations of the Legislature relating to pesticide use in state buildings and lands and would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to protect public and environmental health through the use of Integrated Pest Management techniques. This bill would define Integrated Pest Management and would require, upon receipt of appropriate grant funds, that the Department of General Services implement a demonstration project to study the use of Integrated Pest Management techniques at the State Capitol Park and its associated grounds, as specified. This bill would also require the Department of General Services to present a report to the Legislature on this demonstration project within 6 months of its implementation. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to protect public health and safety in a manner that compliments sustainability as an extension of resource conservation. SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that the safe handling, reduction, or elimination of pesticide use in state buildings and on state lands is an important step in providing all state employees and members of the public with a safe, healthy environment. SEC. 3. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to protect public and environmental health through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, where feasible, before considering the use of pesticides on state property. SEC. 4. Article 8 (commencing with Section 14717) is added to Chapter 2 of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: Article 18. Integrated Pest Management 14717. (a) The Department of General Services shall apply for grants and other funding as may be available from state, federal, or other sources and upon receipt of appropriate funds, shall implement a demonstration project to study the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques at the State Capitol Park and its associated grounds that include the area located in the blocks bounded by 9th and 15th, L and N Streets, in the City of Sacramento, State of California. The Department of General Services shall apply for funds from July 1, 2002, to July 1, 2005, until appropriate funds are obtained. (b) Successful practices learned directly from this demonstration project shall be deemed a sustainable measure, fitness and quality to traditional pest management methods being equal, and shall be made available to those state agencies interested in Integrated Pest Management. Successful practices learned from this demonstration program should also be made available to local jurisdictions at their request and expense, if appropriate. (c) The Department of General Services shall present a report on this demonstration project to the Legislature within six months of its implementation. (d) For the purposes of this section "Integrated Pest Management (IPM)" means a pest management strategy that focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems through a combination of techniques such as monitoring for pest presence and establishing treatment threshold levels, using nonchemical practices to make the habitat less conducive to pest development, improving sanitation, and employing mechanical and physical controls. Pesticides that pose the least possible hazard and are effective in a manner that minimizes risks to people, property, and the environment, are used only after careful monitoring indicates they are needed according to preestablished guidelines and treatment thresholds.