Establishing a pesticide administration and enforcement fund and making appropriations

Description

Senate File 601 creates the Pesticide Administration and Enforcement Fund under the administration of the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (DALS). Currently, the fees that are collected every three years for the certification of pesticide applicators are deposited into the General Fund. The Bill redirects the fees into the new Pesticide Administration and Enforcement Fund for the enforcement of the Pesticide Act of Iowa (Iowa Code chapter 206).

Background

A person who applies a restricted-use pesticide must be certified as one of the following types of applicators and must pay a triennial fee. The person must also pass an exam or attend a continuing education course. The types of applicators include:

• Commercial applicator, who is in the business of applying pesticides.
• Public applicator, who is employed to apply pesticides by the State or a local government.
• Private applicator, who applies or supervises the use of pesticides on property the applicator owns or leases.

Assumptions

• The four-year average for pesticide application fees collected from FY 2016 through 2019 was approximately $450,000.
• Assumes the fees collected will remain approximately the same in FY 2021. The DALS will use the funds to administer and enforce the Pesticide Act of Iowa.

Fiscal Impact

The estimated fiscal impact of Senate File 601 is an annual reduction of fee revenue of $450,000 to the General Fund beginning in FY 2021, and an annual increase of $450,000 to the Pesticide Administration and Enforcement Fund.Fiscal Year Commercial Private Total Fees 2016 347,647$ 83,675$ 431,322$ 2017 371,950$ 112,690$ 484,640$ 2018 376,323$ 90,885$ 467,208$ 2019 335,295$ 76,965$ 412,260$ Average 357,804$ 91,054$ 448,857$

Pesticide Applicator Fees Collected

Source

• Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship