BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1332
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Senator Jerry Hill, Chair
2013-2014 Regular Session
BILL NO: SB 1332
AUTHOR: Wolk
AMENDED: April 21, 2014
FISCAL: Yes HEARING DATE: April 30, 2014
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT: Karen Morrison
SUBJECT : PESTICIDES: CARBON MONOXIDE PEST CONTROL DEVICES
SUMMARY :
Existing law :
1) Allows a county agricultural commissioner to impose a civil
penalty for violations related to pesticides.
2) Permits the use of carbon monoxide pest control devices for
burrowing rodents if the delivery device is properly labeled.
The devices are subject to regulations under the California
Endangered Species Act, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and
the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).
This bill :
1) Specifies that a county agricultural commissioner may impose a
civil penalty for the use of carbon monoxide pest control
devices.
2) Clarifies the definition of violation from serious to Class A.
3) Requires the director of DPR to develop regulations for carbon
monoxide pest control devices.
COMMENTS :
1) Purpose of Bill . According to the author, this bill "would give
the Department of Pesticide Regulation the authority to regulate
the use of carbon monoxide delivery devices used to control
burrowing rodents like gophers and rats.
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"Since the passage of Assembly Bill 634 [which permitted the use of
carbon monoxide pest control devices for burrowing rodents],
interest in carbon monoxide devices for pest control has
increased. Initially, these devices were seen as potential
tools for farmers and ranchers to control burrowing rodents.
Supporters claimed that when used in wide open agricultural
spaces, carbon monoxide devices would pose little or no threat.
However, manufacturers of these devices are now marketing them
to schools, local governments and park districts as a
cost-effective way to control rodents.
"With these devices growing in popularity, it is necessary for
California to ensure the safety of the operators of these
devices and the public."
2) Carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and
tasteless gas that is a cumulative poison in humans and animals.
3) Carbon monoxide and euthanasia . SB 1659 (Kopp, Chapter 751) of
1998 banned the use of carbon monoxide for euthanasia, primarily
in the context of animal shelters.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines
on Euthanasia published in 2013, carbon monoxide is an effective
agent for euthanasia, but it can cause agitation in cats and
behavioral and physiological responses in dogs prior to loss of
consciousness. The preferred method of euthanasia in an animal
shelter is injection of a barbiturate with appropriate animal
handling.
This bill provides a specific exception for the use of carbon
monoxide for the control of burrowing rodent pests.
4) Carbon monoxide and pest control . AB 634 (Huber, Chapter 407)
of 2011 authorized the use of carbon monoxide for the control of
burrowing rodent pests, subject to specified provisions
governing pest control operations. However, one of the code
sections referenced (Food and Agricultural Code Divisions 6 and
7) contained no requirements for the use of carbon monoxide for
pest control. This bill requires DPR to develop the implied
regulations from AB 634.
SOURCE : California Department of Pesticide Regulation
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SUPPORT : Sierra Club California
Pesticide Action Network, North America
OPPOSITION : None on file