Sen. Larry Mumper

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The pesticide applicator licensing bill (SB 217) was finally introduced to the Ohio Senate by State Senator Larry Mumper (R-Bellfountaine).

Two hearings have been heard on this bill. The first consisted of sponsor testimony submitted by Mumper. He explained that Ohio's pesticide law is complicated and sometimes confusing. He said that his intentions are to simplify the law and to give the Ohio Department of Agriculture more appropriate enforcement authority to crack down on "bad actors." He also explained that SB 217 does not make changes to the private applicator licensing (farm applications). In the second hearing, ODA's Legislative Liaison and other staff persons addressed more technical issues.

There are several provisions in SB 217 that are to be handled in rule (the Ohio Administrative Code) as opposed to being defined in statute. Four issues waiting for rule are: A more specific definition of "direct supervision"; applicator licensing fees; pesticide product registration fees and training that would be required of a trained serviceperson.

According to Dan Jones, Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association Legislative Consultant, ONLA members who have read the bill are concerned that the industry will not have involvement in the rulemaking process.