BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1530

By: Button

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) certifies pesticide applicators for health-related mosquito pest control. However, DSHS licensing fees are cost-prohibitive, especially for small political subdivisions that may not have adequate budgets. Many health-related pest control professionals have subsequently dropped licensure or were forced to license in the pest control category of the Occupations Code, which does not adequately address issues involved in mosquito control. 

H.B. 1530 addresses the significant public health threats that mosquitoes pose, including concerns over the West Nile Virus.  By amending pesticide law, H.B. 1530 allows the Department of Agriculture to license health-related pesticide applicators for free or for a minimal fee. This will ensure that public health professionals retain the training and licensure important in managing insecticides while keeping Texas residents safe from potentially harmful mosquito populations.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority previously granted to the Department of State Health Services is transferred to the Department of Agriculture in SECTION 3 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1530 amends the Agriculture Code to transfer the responsibility for the licensing of applicators of health-related pest control from the Department of State Health Services to the Department of Agriculture.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.