Jackson Bill Targets Pesticide Use Near Schools
By KATIE COOPER, Special to The Times
Assemblywoman
Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced a bill Friday that would
increase regulatory oversight of pesticide use near schools, day-care
facilities, nursing homes and hospitals.
The
measure would expand the authority of agricultural commissioners across the
state to regulate all pesticide use near facilities used by children, the
elderly and the infirm.
Violators
would also face stiffer fines than California law now allows.
Jackson
said she was acting in response to an incident at Mound Elementary School in
Ventura last fall, when two children went home and dozens of other students
and teachers complained of dizziness, headaches and nausea after a morning
application of an insecticide at a nearby lemon orchard.
Current
law gives county agricultural commissioners the discretion to regulate the
application of narrowly defined "restricted" chemicals.
The
insecticide--Lorsban--that was used near Mound Elementary School is considered
an "unrestricted" chemical, though banned for most household uses by
the Environmental Protection Agency because of long-term risk to children.
"This
would give agricultural commissioners some authority and discretion within
those areas with sensitive populations so we can get some sanity back in this
whole process," said Jackson, whose district includes parts of Ventura
County. "And it allows agriculture to grow and prosper."
She
said she worked with farmers, parents and school district officials in
crafting the legislation.
The
measure would allow fines up to $5,000 per violation, up from the current
$1,000 limit.
Originally Posted: http://www.latimes.com/editions/ventura/vcnews/20010224/t000016732.html
(Editor Note: Beside the fee levy, here is
the pertinent change that is added to what everyone calls the “Parent
Notification” bill of January, 2001.
AB947 will add this sentence
(b)
Consistent with subdivision (a) every school located within one quarter mile
of agricultural land under production shall create and maintain a safety plan
that specifically addresses pesticide drift and accidental exposure to
pesticides.)
Read
Proposed Bill
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