Pesticide Pre-Notification Bill (HB 1596)
IFCA has been working to stop HB 1596 from passage. This bill, with amendment #3, will be heard on Thursday in the House Energy & Environment Committee. Stopping this bill is the highest priority for IFCA this year because of its direct impact on IFCA retail members. The environmental groups have made passage of this bill their top priority this year.
The list of rural legislators that are on the committee are below. You must call their Springfield office any time on Wednesday or Thursday morning this week. Here is what the bill requires:
- This bill requires all agricultural applicators to notify schools, daycares, and parks about restricted use pesticide applications made to farm fields that are adjacent or within 3/10th of a mile from any of these facilities.
- Notification of pesticide application must be made 24 hours in advance - which is impossible to do based on an applicator's need to evaluate wind speed and direction and other weather conditions on the day of application.
- Applicators would have to research, create and maintain a list of all email contacts for a contact person at all these facilities and keep records to prove that you have notified them. The paperwork and compliance burden from a time and cost standpoint is significant for ag retailers, and pre-notification will be used to encourage complaints to be filed against the applicator.
- Failure to comply will result in penalties from the IL Dept of Agriculture.
- This bill affects all agricultural applicators, including private applicators.
If any of the following legislators represent you or your general area of operation, please call their Springfield office number (listed below) and tell their assistant your name, company name, and that you need them to OPPOSE HB 1596 and Amendment #3. Thank you!
Rep. Charlie Meier, Highland IL (217) 782.6401
Rep Dave Severin, Benton IL (217) 782.1051
Rep Amy Briel, Ottawa (217) 782.0140
Rep Jason Bunting, Watseka (217) 558.1039
Rep Jason Bunting, Watseka (217) 558.1039
Rep Jed Davis, Yorkville (217) 782.5997
Rep Regan Deering, Decatur (217) 876.1968
Rep Brad Fritts, Dixon (217) 782.0535
Rep Brad Fritts, Dixon (217) 782.0535
Rep Brad Halbrook, Effingham (217) 782.8329
Rep Chris Miller, Charleston (217) 508.4108
Rep Adam Niemerg, Dieterich (217) 782.2087
Rep Blaine Wilhour, Louisville (217) 782.0866
Rep Blaine Wilhour, Louisville (217) 782.0866
Rep. Larry Walsh, Joliet (217) 782-8090