2017 -- S 0982

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LC002888

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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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

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     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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