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Senate advances bill clarifying pesticide applicator responsibility and certification
Summary
The Senate advanced SB94, which clarifies who bears responsibility for pesticide-use violations and preserves defenses for applicators who follow label directions; senators asked whether homeowners must be certified and were told related licensing is governed by other law.
The Utah Senate advanced Senate Bill 94, a measure that clarifies liability and certification requirements for pesticide applicators.
Senator Eldon A. Money's committee reported the bill out with a favorable recommendation; the floor adopted the committee report and the Senate voted to place the bill on the third-reading calendar. The clerk recorded 27 ayes, no nays and two absent.
Senator Mantis, explaining the bill, said it ‘‘clarifies who is to be held responsible for any violation of the use of pesticides’’ and provides a defense for an applicator ‘‘if he is able to prove that he has followed the label directions.’’ Senator Steele asked whether ordinary homeowners would need to be certified to apply pesticides. The floor response was: "Technically, yes... they're supposed to be, but not by this bill, but by the other legislation," indicating this bill clarifies responsibility but does not change existing licensing statutes covering certification.
Why it matters: the bill aims to set clearer responsibility for pesticide misuse and to protect licensed applicators who comply with label instructions; questions about homeowner applications prompted senators to note that certification requirements are addressed elsewhere in state law.
What’s next: SB94 will proceed to third reading on the Senate calendar for final consideration.
