Pesticide Regulation And Application.

PESTICIDE REGULATION AND APPLICATION. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Bans use of pesticides, chemicals for agricultural activity on private and public property without written permission of property owner, except as specified. Makes state, local governments liable for injuries to persons and property resulting from pest control, eradication projects. Prevents state, local officials from declaring state of emergency or adopting emergency regulations in response to pest infestation of plants. Requires creation of a liability fund before any insect eradication program is implemented. Expands disclosure requirements for contents of pesticide products. Directs legislature to create system of criminal, civil penalties for violations of measure. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: One-time state costs between $600,000 and $3 million to review pesticide information; ongoing combined state and local costs of about $1.7 million for pesticide enforcement. Unknown, but potentially significant, state costs for more expensive pest eradication and control efforts. Unknown, but potentially significant, reductions in state revenues from impacts on farm businesses and pesticide sales.