Background
In 2019 the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Substitute Bill 5550 establishing a Pesticide Application Safety Committee chaired jointly by the Washington State Departments of Health and Agriculture. It also formed a Pesticide Application Safety Advisory Workgroup. Learn more, 2018 report to the Legislature - Pesticide Application Safety Report (PDF).
Committee members include:
- Senator Rebecca Saldaña
- Representative Tom Dent
- Lillian Ortiz-Self
- Senator Judy Warnick
- Washington State Department of Health
- Washington State Department of Agriculture
- Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- Washington State University CAHNRS
- Washington State University Cooperative Extension
- University of Washington PNASH Center
Reports to the Legislature
2024 Report to the Legislature (PDF)
2023 Report to the Legislature (PDF)
2022 Report to the Legislature (PDF)
Purpose of Committee
The committee will develop recommendations for improving the safety of pesticide application, Committee Charter (PDF). The following topics will be addressed.
- Improve pesticide application safety.
- Establish baseline data on types and quantity of pesticide applications.
- Improve pesticide application communication.
- Compile industry best practices.
- Explore why some workers do not report pesticide exposure.
- Explore new ways of reporting an exposure without fear of retaliation.
- Explore training opportunities for when and how to report workplace exposures.
- Explore incentives for using new spray technology and phase out old technology.
- Consider developing an effective community health education plan.
- Work with community partners to enhance educational initiatives.
- Improve non-English pesticide labels.
- Work with researchers to develop pesticide label translation apps.
- Evaluate prevention techniques to reduce pesticide exposures.
- Develop Spanish and other language communication products.
- Explore development of an agricultural workforce education safety program.
- Work with the agricultural industry and workforce to protocols and best practices.
Meeting Schedule
Upcoming Meeting
Monday, June 16, 2025
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Attend In-person Location: JAC ABC Room, Cherberg Building, 304 15th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501(Main entrance off Sid Snyder Ave SW; first door on left)
Attend Remotely: June 16, 2025 Zoom Meeting (Webinar ID: 835 3838 1161)
Agenda coming soon.
Note: Meeting will be hybrid and public-comment instructions will be included with the final agenda.
Past Meetings
September 3, 2024
View September 3, 2024 Zoom Meeting
Meeting Notes, September 3, 2024 (PDF)
Meeting Materials, September 3, 2024 (PDF)
April 19, 2024
View April 19, 2024 Zoom Meeting
November 1, 2023
View November 1, 2023 Zoom Meeting
Agenda - November 1, 2023 (PDF)
Meeting Materials - November 1, 2023 (PDF)
August 30, 2023
View August 30, 2023 Zoom Meeting
Meeting Materials - August 30, 2023 (PDF)
Meeting Minutes - August 30, 2023 (PDF)
May 12, 2023
View May 12, 2023 Zoom Meeting
Agenda and Meeting Materials - May 12, 2023 (PDF)
August 10, 2022
View August 10, 2023 meeting, Zoom
Agenda - August 10, 2022 (PDF)
December 17, 2019
View December 17, 2019 meeting, TVW
Agenda - December 17, 2019 (PDF)
October 24, 2019
View October 24, 2019 meeting, TVW
Agenda - October 24, 2019 (PDF)