As we move into mid-September, the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) calendar has been busy with events and activities that are important to the professional pest management industry and our organization. Just as your schedules at your business are packed full of calls, appointments, and meetings, so are the daily events for PCOC’s leadership and staff. It is truly a team that works to achieve what is in the best interests of our members. 

On July 21st, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he signed the PCOC-supported AB 307 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) regarding the structural fumigation program. The new law extends the sunset date for the Structural Fumigation Enforcement Program under California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to January 1, 2029.

More recently, there has been significant movement on numerous bills that PCOC has been actively working on this session:

• AB 363 has been amended that provides a carve out for state certified applicators. There are also significant changes to DPR timetable that appear to be negotiated between the Agency and the author of the bill. The bill appears to be proceeding without much opposition from DPR due to amended language.
  
  
• AB 652 has also been recently amended as well. The legislation regarding Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (EJAC) changes previous language convening the EJAC on January 1, 2026, instead of 2025; holding two yearly meetings instead of four, modifies EJAC from 15 members to 11; changes member appointment through the DPR Director and that the EJAC must work with DPR on its charter; and EJAC recommendations shall be done through a public process.
  
  
• AB 1322 passed the Senate floor on a vote of 28-11. The bill would prohibit the use of rodenticide, diphacinone, in certain uses and further restrict other second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS), if certain criteria are met. PCOC still has concerns about the precedent of allowing legislators (not DPR through evaluation process) setting arbitrary deadlines without using current scientific based approaches utilized by DPR. 
  
  Currently, PCOC is still working on all possible efforts to secure a veto by the Governor. A Voter Voice is being drafted to send to the PCOC membership first thing next week. PCOC’s leadership encourages all members to participate in this campaign to express the industry’s opposition to AB 1322 to Gov. Gavin Newson.

As the California legislation session is coming to an end, please watch your email accounts for any last minute updates or voter alerts that are important to the professional pest control community.

Michael E. Wilson
Chief Executive Officer
Pest Control Operators of California