Senate concurs with House amendment to allow battery‑powered backpack sprayers with training requirements

The Oregon Senate voted to concur in House amendments and repass Senate Bill 360 A, a measure that updates language on pesticide application to allow battery‑powered backpack sprayers in the same category as hand‑pump sprayers, with added training provisions and explicit exemptions for schools.

Senator David Brock Smith (floor) summarized the bill as a narrow change to permit “the exact same sprayers that now just use a battery rather than a hand pump. No difference.” He said the House amendment added training and clarified a schools exemption.

Senator Tim Golden said he opposed the measure on principle, arguing that “deregulation of application of these chemicals is not the direction we want to be going,” while acknowledging the industry testimony had documented a short training and a low cost for licensing.

Senator Daniel Robinson noted the bill’s practical intent: current hand‑pump sprayers are legal; the bill recognizes the same devices when battery‑powered. Senator Pham said he had voted for the bill in committee but would oppose concurrence on the floor because of environmental groups’ concerns (Beyond Toxics and Oregon Environmental Council were mentioned).

Senator Bach Smith clarified the scope, saying the changes apply to over‑the‑counter products sold at grocery or hardware stores, not the categories of pesticides that require Oregon Department of Agriculture licensure and more rigorous training.

After discussion the Senate concurred in the House amendments and the clerk declared Senate Bill 360 A repassed.

The floor debate centered on balancing practical modernization of allowed equipment and assuring adequate training and safeguards for pesticide application.