R 338

2017 -- S 0982 Enacted 06/22/2017

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY PESTICIDE CONTROL REGULATIONS

Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Coyne, Calkin, Kettle, and Conley

Date Introduced: June 21, 2017

WHEREAS, Pesticides are valuable to our state's agricultural production and to the

protection of human life and the environment from harmful insects, rodents, weeds, and other

forms of life which may be pests; and

WHEREAS, It is essential to the public health and welfare that they be regulated to

prevent potential adverse effects on humans, animals and beneficial insects in addition to the

environment; and

WHEREAS, New pesticides are continually being discovered, synthesized, or developed

which are valuable for the control of harmful pests and for use as defoliants, desiccants, and plant

regulators; and

WHEREAS, Some of these pesticides may be ineffective, may cause injury to humans,

animals and beneficial insects, or may cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment if

not properly used; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management regulates the

proper availability and use of pesticides in the state; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to be known as the "Commission to

Study Pesticide Control Regulations" be and the same is hereby created consisting of eleven (11)

members to be appointed by the President of the Senate: three (3) of whom shall be members of

the Senate, one of whom shall serve as the chairperson of the commission; one of whom shall be

a representative of the Environment Council of Rhode Island; one of whom shall be a

representative of the agriculture industry; one of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode

Island Nursery and Landscape Association; one of whom shall be a representative of the pest

control industry; one of whom shall be a licensed arborist; one of whom shall be a representative

of the golf industry; one of whom shall be a representative of the pesticide manufacturing

industry; and one of whom shall be a professor with botanical expertise from the University of

Rhode Island.

The purpose of said commission shall be to review all pesticide control regulations and

make recommendations to the Senate to update and strengthen the governance of the use of

pesticides in Rhode Island.

Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Chairperson of the commission.

Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

The commission shall assemble no less than four (4) times, or more often at the call of

the Chairperson, upon written notice of each meeting stating the place, day, and time of the

meeting along with the purpose and/or agenda of the meeting.

A quorum of the Commission shall consist of a majority of its membership and the

membership shall receive no compensation for their services.

All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

President of the Senate no later than March 1, 2018, and said commission shall expire on June 1,

2018.

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LC002888

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