On Tuesday, April 9th, PCOC testified before the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials in opposition to AB 2552 sponsored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (HD-44). The bill would ban the use of first-generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (Chlorophacinone and Warfarin) for structural pest control use and further designate them as Restricted Materials. Additionally, the bill would create a private right-of-action enforcement component that would allow any individual or organization to sue PCOs for the potential misuse of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) on behalf of human or wildlife exposure. The bill also seeks to dramatically expand the list of areas identified as wildlife habitat and expands the prohibition of rodenticides within 2,500 feet of “wildlife habitat areas.”

On behalf of PCOC, Blair Smith, Director of Technical and Quality Assurance for Clark Pest Control testified that AB 2552, builds upon the restrictions of AB 1788 (Bloom, 2020) and AB 1322 (Friedman, 2023). Smith stated that the legislation does this by expanding prohibitions of critical pest control products in the state of California, while exposing businesses to costly lawsuits and insurance increases that will be severely detrimental to small businesses across the state.
 
Smith went on to articulate the concerns with AB 2552 provisions such as 1) the severe restrictions of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides with the active ingredients Chlorophacinone and Warfarin; 2) Permitting a private right of action for violations. Smith also touched on new insurance liability concerns. She stated that, “insurance companies are aware of this new liability, insurance rates for all pest control companies will increase due to the anticipated flood of civil litigation and settlements, and costs for pest control services will likely increase for everyone as a result.”
 
PCOC will continue to actively advocate against this harmful legislation to pest management professionals. Please monitor the PCOC website at www.pcoc.org along with your email inbox to get further updates and calls for action.

A contingent of just under 100 members came to Sacramento last week to participate in PCOC’s Legislative Day event along with the corresponding Board of Directors and Committee meetings April 8-10, 2024. The 3-day program provided an opportunity to hear the latest activities happening in the Association and a chance to speak with “one voice” about legislation affecting the professional pest management industry in California. 

Monday activities kicked off with PCOC’s Annual Legislative Day Golf Tournament at Teal Bend Golf Course. Later in the evening, the Bug Crawl provided an inclusion opportunity for members to gather and spend time socializing and networking.

On Tuesday, the Committee meetings included an important update on Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) during the Regulatory Committee by SPM Task Force Chair Travis Swope. In the Legislative Committee, a comprehensive summary of important bills AB 2552, AB 2113 and AB 2827.

Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) is organizing a Summer Season of Giving! PWIPM encourages each district to give back to their communities between May 20-June 7. If your district is planning on participating, please reach out to the committee chair Sylvia Kenmuir. Previously, districts have provided treatments at Haven Humane, sorted clothing for their local Women’s Shelter, and provided and installed bed bug encasements to places in need.

PCOC also hosted an industry information tent on the west side of the Capitol. The Public Relations and Membership Committee highlighted members through the “I am Pest Control” campaign, organized Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches for guests to hold, a colony of damp wood termites to inspect, and a “Pest-urant” where guests could indulge in crunchy snacks. Our tent was active with guests stopping by to learn how pest management professionals help protect people, property, and our food supply.

Later that evening, PCOC was honored to have Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains (HD-35) as a guest for the Executive Committee Dinner held at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento’s Capitol View room on Tuesday evening. 

On Wednesday, PCOC members took to California legislative offices to express professional pest management industry’s opinion on bills such as AB 2552, AB 2113, and AB 2827. At the Legislative Day luncheon, participants heard from Assemblymember Greg Wallis (HD-47), a proud member of the Legislative “Problem Solvers” Caucus. Attendees also heard from PCOC members Noelle and Rian Goins about their legislative meeting with their local California Assemblymember. The Goins demonstrated the importance and compassion of the entire professional pest control industry through a video of their first “Keep It Goins Foundation” fumigation project in an underserved community in Los Angeles.

The PCOC leadership team would like to convey a profound thank you to Leg Day sponsors: Bell Laboratories, Cardinal Pro Products, Control Solutions, Envu, Forshaw, Lipha Tech, Syngenta, Target Specialty Products and Veseris.

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