"An Act relating to pesticides and broadcast chemicals; and providing for an effective date. "

CS for House Bill 19 authorizes a registration fee on pesticide and broadcast chemicals registered for sale or distribution in the state of Alaska and a licensing fee for certified applicators. CSHB 19 also directs the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) to promulgate reasonable public notice requirements for pesticides applied in a public place.

ADEC currently registers pesticides and other broadcast chemicals for sale in the state of Alaska. Every state has a registration program, and in every state except Alaska a manufacturer must pay a fee to register a chemical for sale or distribution. Fees range from $15.00 per chemical in Missouri to $750.00 per chemical in California. Fees from registrations support respective state agencies pesticide and broadcast chemical regulation and registration programs.

Alaska's pesticide and broadcast chemical registration program has traditionally been paid for with state general fund dollars. The per chemical fee authorized in CSHB 19 would shift the burden of Alaska's pesticide regulation and registration program from general funds to program receipts.

Approximately 5,700 chemicals are currently registered with ADEC. These chemicals are used for a wide variety of beneficial public purposes on public and private property. CSHB 19 requires that public notice be given when these chemicals are used in a public place.

The sustainable funding for Alaska's pesticide and broadcast chemical regulation and registration programs, and reasonable public notice requirements established in CSHB 19 will strengthen ADEC's ability to regulate pesticide and broadcast chemical use for the public benefit.

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