This bill addresses the regulation of pest control.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's pest control law currently requires pesticide applicator businesses to designate a "qualifying party" — a certified applicator with specific experience or education who is responsible for overseeing all pesticide applicators working for the business — but this bill would eliminate that requirement and instead create two new types of permits: an "ornamental and turf technician" permit for workers who apply lower-risk herbicides (those labeled "caution" or "warning") to lawns and ornamental plants, and a "salesperson" permit for people who solicit customers to have pesticides applied. To hold either permit, an individual would need to complete annual training approved by the state agriculture department, and ornamental and turf technicians would also need to work under the supervision of a licensed certified applicator employed by the same business; a technician who violates these rules could face fines of up to $1,000 per violation. The bill would also remove a current provision stating that pesticide applicators are not liable for injuries caused by misuse or misapplication unless they were negligent, change how registration fees for pesticide applicator businesses are calculated (no longer tied to the number of applicators a business employs), and require each business to employ at least one certified applicator in addition to any technicians or salespersons it hires. Finally, the bill would require the state agriculture department to report to a legislative committee by November 2026 on how it is carrying out the new rules for technician and salesperson permits.
Introduction
Jan 20
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Skipped
Senate 2nd Reading
Jan 20
Senate 3rd Reading
Jan 20
House Rules
Jan 21
House Committee
Jan 28
House Floor Vote
Feb 4
Governor Signed
Mar 26
IntroductionJan 20
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeSkipped
Senate 2nd ReadingJan 20
Senate 3rd ReadingJan 20
House RulesJan 21
House CommitteeJan 28
House Floor VoteFeb 4
Governor SignedMar 26
This bill addresses the regulation of pest control.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's pest control law currently requires pesticide applicator businesses to designate a "qualifying party" — a certified applicator with specific experience or education who is responsible for overseeing all pesticide applicators working for the business — but this bill would eliminate that requirement and instead create two new types of permits: an "ornamental and turf technician" permit for workers who apply lower-risk herbicides (those labeled "caution" or "warning") to lawns and ornamental plants, and a "salesperson" permit for people who solicit customers to have pesticides applied. To hold either permit, an individual would need to complete annual training approved by the state agriculture department, and ornamental and turf technicians would also need to work under the supervision of a licensed certified applicator employed by the same business; a technician who violates these rules could face fines of up to $1,000 per violation. The bill would also remove a current provision stating that pesticide applicators are not liable for injuries caused by misuse or misapplication unless they were negligent, change how registration fees for pesticide applicator businesses are calculated (no longer tied to the number of applicators a business employs), and require each business to employ at least one certified applicator in addition to any technicians or salespersons it hires. Finally, the bill would require the state agriculture department to report to a legislative committee by November 2026 on how it is carrying out the new rules for technician and salesperson permits.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM