Bill > SR61

This Resolution requests the Department of Agriculture to submit a report detailing pesticide inspections conducted over the past five years and to enhance statewide enforcement against violations involving restricted use pesticides, which are pesticides that can only be applied by certified professionals due to their potential for harm. The resolution highlights concerns about the risks pesticides pose to public health and the environment, citing past incidents of worker exposure and significant fines levied against agricultural operations for improper pesticide use, including the misuse of organophosphate insecticides and banned substances. It also references a 2016 study that pointed to a need for more inspections and faster follow-through on compliance reviews, particularly for drift-prone pesticides. The Department of Agriculture is specifically asked to provide its report, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislative changes, to the Legislature at least twenty days before the start of the 2023 Regular Session.