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Next Review Date: None
Last Review Cycle: 2006-2007 Review Cycle - 80th Legislative Session
Sunset Documents for 2006-2007 Review Cycle, 80th Legislative Session
Summary of Results (Jul 2007)
Staff Report (Feb 2006)
Self-Evaluation Report (Aug 2005)
Legislative Documents
House Bill 2458 (Jun 2007)
Final Results of Last Sunset Review
The Legislature created the Texas Structural Pest Control Board (the Board) in 1971 to ensure that those who perform pest control activities in buildings, homes, and other structures are qualified, competent, and adhere to established professional standards. The Board has two primary functions: license commercial and non-commercial pest control professionals, and enforce the Texas Structural Pest Control Act and federal law through inspections and complaint investigations. With a staff of 29 employees and an annual budget of $1.4 million, the Board currently licenses more than 16,000 pest control business and applicators.
House Bill 2458 abolishes the Structural Pest Control Board and transfers its functions to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). The bill contains other recommendations of the Sunset Commission, including requiring TDA to develop a risk-based approach to inspections, a formal process for exam development, and more clear and consistent guidance for pesticide use in schools. The list below summarizes the major provisions of H.B. 2458.
- Abolish the Structural Pest Control Board and transfer its functions to the Texas Department of Agriculture.
- Allow the Department of Agriculture to determine its inspection frequency based on an assessment of risk.
- Require TDA to develop a formal process for licensing exam development and revision.
- Improve the Integrated Pest Management Program to provide more clear and consistent guidance to schools.
- Conform key elements of TDA’s licensing and regulatory functions to commonly applied licensing practices.
- Allow beekeepers to remove bees from structures without a pest control license, as long as they do not use pesticides.