What's happening
This bill increases fees for pesticide applicator certification and repeals certain fee exemptions and related provisions.
Why it matters
Raises costs for many professionals. By increasing certification fees for commercial pesticide applicators and removing lower fees for certain subcategories, this bill could make it more expensive for landscapers, farmers, and pest control professionals to obtain and maintain required certifications.
Eliminates fee exemptions and special rates. The bill repeals provisions that previously allowed reduced fees for applicators working only in specific subcategories (like ornamentals, shade trees, and turf), meaning all commercial applicators now pay the higher standard rates regardless of specialization.
Potential impact on small businesses and agriculture. Higher certification costs might disproportionately affect small farms and businesses, potentially increasing operating expenses, which could be passed on to consumers or result in fewer certified applicators.
Signal of increased regulatory funding or oversight. By raising fees and removing exemptions, the state may be aiming to generate more revenue for oversight and enforcement of pesticide use, which could lead to stricter regulatory compliance and possibly improved environmental protections.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Change Pesticide Certification Fees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 55
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Change Pesticide Certification Fees
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor James Skoufis
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1045
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sens. FUNKE, LATIMER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to fees for certification of pesticide applicators; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph d of subdivision 3 of section 33-0905 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 1 of part U of chapter 59 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
d. Except as provided in [paragraphs] paragraph e [and f] of this subdivision, pesticide applicator certifications shall be valid for three years after which every applicator shall recertify according to the requirements then in effect. Certification identification cards shall be valid for three years.
§ 2. Paragraph f of subdivision 3 of section 33-0905 of the environmental conservation law is REPEALED.
§ 3. Subdivision 2 of section 33-0911 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 3 of part YY of chapter 59 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
2. [a. Except as provided in paragraph b of this subdivision, fees] Fees for pesticide applicator certification shall be four hundred fifty dollars for commercial pesticide applicator certification in one individual category, one hundred fifty dollars for each additional category and one hundred fifty dollars for each additional sub-category chosen. For private applicators a fee of twenty-five dollars for the initial certified private applicator and five dollars for subsequent applicators on the same farm or business shall be charged at the time of initial certification, renewal of certification or recertification.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04275-01-7
S. 1045 2
[b. Fees for pesticide applicator certification for a commercial pesticide applicator with only subcategory 3A-ornamentals, shade trees and turf or only subcategory 3B-turf shall be two hundred dollars.]
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to certifications issued on or after such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to fees for certification of pesticide applicators; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto
Purpose
To amend the environmental conservation law to bring parity within the fee structure for businesses obtaining a permit for commercial pesticide application.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph d of subdivision 3 of section 33-0905 of the environmental conservation law, to remove the reference of paragraph f
Section 2 repeals paragraph f of subdivision 3 of section 33-0905 of the environmental conservation law
Section 3 removes paragraph b, which singles out subcategories 3a and 3b, to provide consistency with licensing fees across all categories for certifying for a commercial pesticide
Section 4 provides that this act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to certifications issued on or after such date.
Justification
New York State currently maintains 27 categories of commercial pesticide applicators, where every professional pesticide applicator must become and remain certified within at least one of. All of the categories, except 3A and 3B, provide for a 3-year certification for a total price of $450 ($150 per year). Category 3A and 3B are singled out to a mandatory fee of $200 per year for certification, with their certificate term only lasting 1 year. (A 30% markup per year on 3A and 3B applicator certificates)
This legislation will provide parity within the certified commercial applicator fees, creating a 3-year certificate for $450 for category 3a and 3b commercial pesticide applicators.
By not allowing the 3A and 3B commercial pesticide applicators to be certified in 3 year increments, we are adding even more reporting requirements, paper work, and employee time to conform with these over burdensome states rules. This inequality is not business friendly, especially for our small businesses that make up a major portion of this field.
Legislative history
S.6861/A.9451 of 2016; referred to Environmental Conservation
Fiscal implications
Minimal
Effective date
Immediately and shall apply certifications issued on or after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.