Bill Full Text
Home
-
Bills
-
Bill
-
Authors
-
Dates
-
Locations
-
Analyses
-
Organizations
<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<ns0:MeasureDoc xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:ns0="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1#" xmlns:ns3="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" version="1.0" xsi:schemaLocation="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1# xca.1.xsd">
<ns0:Description>
<ns0:Id>20250AB__247798AMD</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>98</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-20</ns0:ActionDate>
</ns0:Action>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-03-20</ns0:ActionDate>
</ns0:Action>
</ns0:History>
<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>AB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>2477</ns0:MeasureNum>
<ns0:MeasureState>AMD</ns0:MeasureState>
</ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Chen</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Chen</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title>An act to add Section 8551.6 to the Business and Professions Code, relating to professions and vocations.</ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>professions and vocations</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Structural pest control.</ns0:Subject>
</ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of structural pest control by the Structural Pest Control Board in the Department of Consumer Affairs. A violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor. Existing law designates each county agricultural commissioner as the lead agency for inspections and routine investigations of structural pest control operators and registered companies. Existing law prescribes 3 classifications of structural pest control licenses, which are designated as Branch 1, Branch 2, and Branch 3, based on the types of pest control work permitted. Branch 1 relates to the control of household and wood-destroying pests or organisms by fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. Branch 2 relates to the control of household pests, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases. Branch 3 relates to the control of wood-destroying pests or organisms by the use
of insecticides, or structural repairs and corrections, excluding fumigation with poisonous or lethal gases.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law prohibits an unlicensed individual in the employ of a registered company from applying pesticides included in Branch 2 or Branch 3, but authorizes an individual, for 90 days from the date of employment, to apply pesticides for the purposes of training under the direct supervision of a licensed field representative or operator employed by the company.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill, on and after January 1, 2028, would also authorize an unlicensed individual employed by a registered company who has applied for a structural pest control applicator license in Branch 2 or Branch 3 to apply pesticides included in Branch 2 or Branch 3 under the
supervision, as defined, of a licensed operator or field representative during a provisional supervision period of up to 60 days if specified conditions are met, including that the unlicensed individual has completed a minimum of 80 hours of training under the direct supervision, as defined, of a licensed operator or field representative. The bill would require a supervising licensee to maintain documentation demonstrating completion of training and proof of applicator license submission.</html:p>
<html:p>By expanding the scope of a crime and to the extent the bill would impose additional requirements on county agricultural commissioners, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.</html:p>
<html:p>The
California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.</html:p>
<html:p>With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.</html:p>
</ns0:DigestText>
<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>YES</ns0:LocalProgram>
</ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:MeasureIndicators>
<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
<ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
<ns0:Urgency>NO</ns0:Urgency>
<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
<ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>NO</ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>
</ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
</ns0:MeasureIndicators>
</ns0:Description>
<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_DD3376EB-DEB6-48BA-BC21-3ED820A57690">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>This act shall be known as the Small Pest Control Business Relief Act.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_68F67D5A-1068-4B11-8BA9-D87457B1830C">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
California’s structural pest control industry provides essential public health and property protection services from dangerous and deadly pests and is comprised primarily of small businesses, with a majority employing five or fewer workers.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Existing law requires individuals performing structural pest control to be properly licensed, but current licensing timelines for entry-level applicators often result in delays between hiring, examination, and license issuance, during which new employees may not legally perform supervised pest
control work.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
These delays are caused by factors including examination scheduling, application processing, and postexamination requirements such as Live Scan fingerprint clearance, which may take several weeks to complete.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Existing law already allows applicants for operator and field representative licenses to perform work under direct supervision during a limited training period, demonstrating that structured, supervised onboarding can occur safely within California’s regulatory framework.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Allowing a limited, clearly defined provisional supervision period for applicator license applicants who have completed documented training will help address workforce shortages, reduce barriers to entry, and support small
businesses, while maintaining full safety and regulatory oversight under Department of Pesticide Regulation supervision standards.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_85CCDBBC-715C-4297-A353-2EB42F1B9789">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_ADDED" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:BPC:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2F%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'8551.6'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION" ns3:type="locator">
Section 8551.6 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Business and Professions Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_774CD46E-2BC1-4531-9F5C-83010053638A">
<ns0:Num>8551.6.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_89466225-EE18-4E58-9E47-671342DA09DC">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this section, both of the following definitions shall apply:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Direct supervision” means the direction of actions authorized by this section by a licensed operator or field representative who shall be physically present on location and immediately available to intervene.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Supervision” means either direct supervision or the direction of actions authorized by this section by a licensed operator or field representative who is immediately available via audio and video communication with access to the customer’s relevant information and the ability to intervene by directing onsite
personnel.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding any other law, an unlicensed individual employed by a registered company who has applied for a structural pest control applicator license in Branch 2 or Branch 3 may apply pesticides included in Branch 2 or Branch 3 under the supervision of a licensed operator or field representative during a provisional supervision period of up to 60 days if all of the following conditions are met:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The unlicensed individual has submitted a complete structural pest control applicator license application to the board, as evidenced by written or electronic confirmation of receipt.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The unlicensed individual has completed a minimum of 80 hours of documented, in-person training under the direct supervision of a licensed operator or field representative.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The unlicensed individual has submitted fingerprint identification to, and completed a background investigation with, the board.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The unlicensed individual
has submitted the applicable examination application to the board.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
All
direct supervision complies with applicable direct supervision requirements of the Department of Pesticide Regulation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The supervising licensee shall maintain documentation demonstrating completion of the training required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) and proof of applicator license application submission.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The provisional supervision period authorized by this section shall apply only once per individual per applicator license application, shall commence upon confirmation of the satisfaction of the conditions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b), and shall terminate upon license issuance, application denial, or expiration of the 60-day period, whichever occurs first.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The provisional supervision period authorized by this section shall not overlap with or extend any training or supervision period authorized under Section 8551.5.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section is operative on January 1, 2028.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_F12BFED5-093A-4DBD-877F-F8D3D12C236B">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 4.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
B of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII
<html:span class="ThinSpace"/>
B of the California Constitution.
</html:p>
<html:p>However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs
mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
</ns0:Bill>
</ns0:MeasureDoc>