Idaho Senate approves amended crop-dusting bill

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that lessens the regulations governing pesticide-spraying crop dusters.

Crop-dusting groups sought the bill after about 20 farmworkers in southwestern Idaho said they became sick after a crop duster sprayed pesticide in a field right next to them. The crop-dusters contended that current state regulations are too onerous and unclear.

The original bill, sponsored in the House by Republican Rep. Judy Boyle, would have made it so crop dusters could not be held responsible for the “careless” application of pesticides. But the Senate amended the bill, adding back in the language barring people from applying pesticides in a “careless or negligent manner,” and retaining language in current law that prohibits pesticide applicators from applying ineffective or improper pesticides.

The amended bill passed overwhelmingly, in a 31-1 vote. It now returns to the House for consideration.