Bill
SB 1574
Replaces a single licensed operator with two tiers—licensed large-scale and licensed small-scale—each with separate, category-specific certification tests.
Status & key dates
- Introduced in the Illinois Senate by Sen. Doris Turner on February 4, 2025 (LRB10409996BDA20066b).
- Co-sponsorship activity in the record shows Sen. Javier L. Cervantes added as a co‑sponsor.
- The bill amends the Illinois Pesticide Act by changing statutory definitions and certification requirements (amendments to 415 ILCS 60/4, 60/12, and 60/14).
Purpose / intent
- To refine how the Pesticide Act defines and certifies pesticide operators by replacing the single category of “licensed operator” with two scale‑based categories — “licensed large‑scale operator” and “licensed small‑scale operator” — and to require separate certification tests tailored to each category. The intent is to align certification and testing with the size/scale of operator activities.
Key provisions
- Replaces the existing statutory definition of “licensed operator” with two new terms:
- “Licensed large‑scale operator” (not further defined in the excerpt but implied to apply to larger commercial/operational pesticide users), and
- “Licensed small‑scale operator” (for smaller operations).
- Directs the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture to issue separate certification tests for each category. Those tests must be based on rules and regulations the Department prescribes for each category.
- Makes conforming changes throughout the Act (specifically to Sections 4, 12, and 14 of the Illinois Pesticide Act) so statutory references and certification requirements match the new two‑tier licensing structure.
Who would be affected
- Current and prospective pesticide applicators and businesses that apply pesticides in Illinois (commercial applicators, private applicators, pest control businesses, and service contractors).
- Employers who supervise pesticide applications and training programs that prepare applicants for certification.
- The Illinois Department of Agriculture (responsible for drafting implementing rules, administering separate testing, and issuing certifications).
Procedural/implementation notes and likely impacts
- The Department of Agriculture will need to develop and adopt rules and to design, administer, and maintain two separate certification tests and any associated training materials or guidance.
- Potential operational impacts include revised training and testing costs, transitional processes for currently certified operators (the bill text does not specify grandfathering or transition details), and administrative workload for the Department.
- No fiscal estimates are provided in the excerpt; impacts would depend on rulemaking choices and test‑development costs.
Legislative references
- Amends 415 ILCS 60 (Illinois Pesticide Act) — specifically Sections 4 (definitions), 12, and 14 to reflect the two‑tier licensing and testing scheme.
Note: This summary is based on the bill text excerpt provided (Introduced version). The full text and any committee substitute or enacted language should be consulted for implementation details, definitions clarifying “large‑scale” vs “small‑scale,” transition provisions, and effective dates.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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