SRC-JRN H.B. 1759 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1759
By: Hirschi (Brown)
Natural Resources
5-17-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, mosquito control is a public health activity which reduces the
threat to mosquito borne diseases.  By controlling the mosquitos that
carry diseases such as encephalitis and dengue fever, public health may be
bettered.  This bill amends the Agricultural Code to provide guidelines
for agencies in charge of pesticide applicator certification programs. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1759 amends the Agricultural Code to provide guidelines
for agencies in charge of pesticide applicator certification programs. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 76.106(c), Agriculture Code, to authorize each
regulatory agency to charge a testing fee, as fixed by the governing body
of or the head of the regulatory agency. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 76.109, Agriculture Code, by amending
Subsections (b) and (d), and by adding Subsection (g), to authorize the
governing body of or the head of the regulatory agency to set other fees
as necessary to defray the costs of administering a pesticide applicator
certification program.  Deletes a provision prohibiting a regulatory
agency from charging a governmental entity applicant a license fee.
Provides that an individual to whom a noncommercial applicator license is
issued by the Texas Department of Health is authorized to use and
supervise the use of general-use, restricted-use, and state-limited-use
pesticides in the license use categories and subcategories in which the
individual is licensed. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.