Well, we thought we were out of the woods on rodenticides…but it has gone the way of COVID: in a totally unpredictable direction.  AB 1788 has been resurrected again. We thought it wouldn’t.  We were told it wouldn’t.  We even removed our bill because we thought it was the right thing to do given the priorities of the legislature.  But, it has been amended and the author is trying to get it out of Senate Appropriations.  A quick summary of the amendments:

• The second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides would not be able to be used until DPR has completed its re-evaluation and the mitigation has been determined
• The Department of Fish and Wildlife must be consulted to give input on the final mitigation in order for it to be implemented
• All references to first generation anti-coagulant rodenticides (i.e. diphacinone) have been removed
• Additional exemptions have been added including the protection of water supply infrastructure, medical waste generator, sites that fall under the inspection code of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

This amended bill is one that we do not like and feel that it should not be heard in any form.  We are working to have the bill held in committee.  PCOC is working on the behalf of its members and protecting their tools in any way they can.  We will keep you posted!

Darren Van Steenwyk, M.S., BCE
Clark Pest Control
Director of Learning and Technical Services
PCOC Legislative Committee Chair
(209) 224-4629
darrenv@clarkpest.com