Two ag bills pass WA House

OLYMPIA – A pair of bills sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, aimed at supporting the state’s agriculture community passed the state House Wednesday.

“Our farmers do a lot to feed not only Washingtonians, but Americans everywhere, and people around the world,” said Torres.

Torres represents Washington’s 15th Legislative District which includes portions of Yakima, Franklin, Benton, Grant and Adams counties. According to a statement from Torres’ office, the House unanimously approved Senate Bill 5156 to help support the next generation of Washington farmers by expanding the state’s farm-internship program.

Under the bill, as amended by the House, the state Department of Labor and Industries would be tasked with certifying that the participating farms would allow interns to participate in career and technical education or other educational content with courses in agriculture, the release stated. The measure also requires small farms in certain counties have at least one intern with experience as a migrant farmworker or have a parent or grandparent with such experience. The bill would define a small farm as one with annual sales of less than $265,000, rather than less than $250,000, as it is currently.

“The new law created by this bill will expand the farm-intern program across the state and make it permanent, helping those would-be farmers who want to participate but have been ineligible because they happen to reside in a particular county,” Torres said. “... Passage of this bill to expand one of the most popular and much-needed programs will help guarantee that the next generation of farmers know how to run and operate a farm.”

The House also unanimously voted in support of Senate Bill 5330, requested by the Washington Department of Agriculture, which would update the Washington Pesticide Application Act. The release states SB 5330 would allow the WSDA director to suspend or revoke a license or certification based on decisions made by another jurisdiction under certain conditions. The bill also would remove the requirement that applicants be at least 16 years old on the date the application is submitted and would add a requirement that WSDA adopt standards for pesticide applications made by non-certified individuals.

“This bill is critical to the safety and well-being of both the user and those living in the general vicinity of the widespread use of crop-protection products,” said Torres, who represents the heavily rural 15th Legislative District. “It is the first step in implementing Washington’s EPA-approved plan to ensure that pesticides are used safely, with minimal negative impacts to health and the environment.”

SB 5156 now returns to the Senate, to harmonize the House version of the bill with the version that passed the Senate earlier this year. SB 5330 heads to the governor for his consideration and signature.