In the Books
Exert from Dominic DiMare's Article that will be in the PCOC's Magazine, Voice of PCOC, 2016 Winter Edition

The pest control industry and PCOC specifically enjoyed some legislative success. Three industry sponsored and/ supported bills, reforming and modernizing the Structural Pest Control Act, were passed through the Legislature and sent to the Governor’s desk for his consideration. One very bad bill that would have prohibited the use of Rodenticides was stopped. For good measure there was also a bed bug bill that had tepid industry support at best was also sent to the Governor.

Many of you may recall that Assemblyman Richard Bloom introduced AB 2596 which would have essentially banned the use of anticoagulants as rodenticides. Working with our national and local partners PCOC was able to stop this bill before it was even heard in the first policy committee. Assemblyman Bloom never reached the requisite number of votes to get his bill out of committee. We anticipate that this bill will be reintroduced next year by another member of the Legislature.

With [the Governor's] signature the bills listed below will become law on January 1, 2017:

AB 1874 (Wood) Qualifying manager physical presence – signed: The new law requires the minimum physical presences of licensed "qualifying managers" at licensee’s principal office or branch office. The qualifying manager is required to be present a minimum of nine days every three consecutive months.

AB 2529 (Linder) Structural pest control act – signed: This bill "enables a Branch 1 and Branch 2 registered company to be equally competitive with a Branch 3 registered company in the use of those services of employees or independent contractors, who otherwise are not required to be licensed, to perform work in connection with a pest control contract or service. This change in law was approved by the Act Review Committee.

SB 1039 Structural Pest Control Board: inspection reports – signed: When enacted the bill makes several changes to the preparation and presentation of the written inspection report consistent with recommendations made by the Act Review Committee and SPCB.

AB 551 (Nazarian) Bed bugs; notification – signed: The new law requires certain notifications by landlords to prospective tenants regarding bed bug infestations.