Summary — B 25-0569: Pesticide Operations Amendment Act of 2023
Bill at a glance
- Bill number: B 25-0569
- Title: Pesticide Operations Amendment Act of 2023
- Introduced: November 8, 2023 (Chairman Mendelson)
- Committee: Transportation and the Environment
- Current status: Final Reading (CC) — 2024-12-17
- Classification: Bill
Note: The full text of the bill was not included in the materials provided. The summary below records the bill’s procedural history and describes the likely scope and impacts based on the bill’s title and the committee record. For definitive provisions, consult the bill text, committee report, and hearing record on the D.C. Council website.
Purpose and intent (based on title and legislative context)
The Pesticide Operations Amendment Act of 2023 is intended to amend existing law governing pesticide use and related operations in the District of Columbia. Typical objectives for legislation with this title include strengthening public-health and environmental protections, clarifying licensing and operational requirements for pesticide applicators, improving reporting and recordkeeping, and setting enforcement standards and penalties for violations.
Key provisions — expected topics and potential changes
Because the bill text is not available here, the following are the types of changes such an amendment commonly addresses. The committee materials and public hearing indicate substantive consideration of these areas:
- Definitions: Updates or clarifications of terms such as “pesticide,” “application,” “commercial applicator,” and “restricted-use pesticide.”
- Licensing & certification: New or revised requirements for licensure, exams, training, or continuing education for pesticide applicators.
- Use standards & restrictions: Changes to where, when, and how pesticides may be applied (e.g., buffer zones near schools, parks, waterways, or residential areas).
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Requirements or incentives to use IPM and least-toxic methods before chemical applications.
- Notification & public notice: Requirements to notify residents, building managers, or agencies prior to pesticide application; posting rules.
- Recordkeeping & reporting: New reporting obligations for pesticide purchases and applications, and retention periods for records.
- Enforcement & penalties: Revision of civil or criminal penalties, inspection authority, and procedures for violations.
- Exemptions & government operations: Special rules for emergency use, public-health vector control, or government agency operations.
Who would be affected
- Commercial and private pesticide applicators and businesses (landscapers, pest control firms).
- Property owners and managers (residential buildings, schools, parks, institutions).
- District agencies responsible for environmental health, agriculture, and vector control.
- Residents and communities near application sites, especially sensitive populations (children, elderly).
- Environmental and public-health stakeholders (water quality, pollinators, wildlife).
Legislative actions and timeline
- 2023-11-08: Introduced by Chairman Mendelson
- 2023-11-21: Referred to Committee on Transportation and the Environment
- 2024-02-26: Notice of Public Hearing filed
- 2024-03-01: Notice of Public Hearing published in the D.C. Register
- 2024-03-18: Public hearing (record available)
- 2024-10-29: Notice of committee mark-up filed
- 2024-10-31: Committee mark-up by Transportation and the Environment Committee
- 2024-11-06: Committee report filed (includes hearing record)
- 2024-11-26: First Reading (Council)
- 2024-12-17: Final Reading (Council) — Status: Final Reading, CC
(“Final Reading” indicates the bill reached the Council’s final legislative consideration on 2024-12-17. Consult Council records to confirm enactment, amendments adopted at final reading, and any transmission to the Mayor.)
Where to find full text and supporting documents
For the definitive text, committee report, fiscal impact statement, and the public hearing record, consult:
- D.C. Council legislative information portal (search B 25-0569)
- Transportation and the Environment Committee documents associated with the bill
Recommended next steps for readers
- Review the bill text and committee report to determine the exact amendments.
- Check the fiscal impact statement for budgetary implications and any implementation costs.
- If you represent an affected party (applicator, property manager, public agency), identify compliance deadlines, new training or recordkeeping obligations, and enforcement changes.
