BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2122
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 5, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2122 (Mendoza) - As Amended: April 15, 2010
Policy Committee: AgricultureVote:8
- 0
E.S.T.M. 8 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill modifies the continuing education requirements of the
Department of Pesticide Regulations (DPR) for licensed pest
control advisors (PCA). Specifically, this bill:
1)Authorizes DPR to approve continuing education (CE) training
for PCAs to include the following subjects related to pest
management and plant health:
a) Organic and sustainable practices
b) Water and air monitoring
c) Residue mitigation and maximum allowable residue
d) Crop quarantine practices
e) On-farm storage of fumigants
2)Requires the Director of DPR to act within 15 days of
receiving a request for approval of PCA CE courses.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Costs associated with expanding the current continuing
education requirements would be approximately $300,000
(Department of Pesticide Regulation Fund) per year for the
first three years.
2)Current law authorizes DPR to charge a fee sufficient to cover
the costs of the program. Increasing licensing fees to cover
the cost of those courses would result in a doubling of the
current fee from $45 to $90.
AB 2122
Page 2
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The author intends for AB 2122 to broaden the CE
curriculum offered to PCA and other DPR licensed professionals
to include the latest trends and innovations in crop
production and pest controls. The author argues that DPR has
not significantly changed its core course requirements since
the mid 1990s, and much has changed in the area of agronomic
practices, environmental protection and stewardship, water
use, monitoring and enforcement requirements, nutrient and
plant health. Further, the author feels the 15 day course
accreditation requirement for DPR will enhance the CE
opportunities for DPR licensees.
2)Continuing education for PCAs . According to DPR, continuing
education for PCAs includes educational classes, workshops,
seminars, tours, conferences, etc. that teach pest control
licensees and certificate holders information on pest
management and pesticides.
CE subjects must focus on pesticide and pest management topics
that may include: laws and regulations, safety, pest
identification, surface water, groundwater and air quality
issues, calibration of equipment, labeling requirements, etc.
All CE classes must be pre-approved by DPR in order to be used
for CE credit by license and certificate holders.
The purpose of continuing education is to ensure license and
certificate holders to keep their knowledge current in the
area of pest control laws and regulations; provide proper,
safe and efficient pesticide use; protect the public health,
environment and property; and encourage safe working
conditions for agricultural and pest control workers. CE
recertification helps ensure competency and is in lieu of
re-examination.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081