Existing law makes it unlawful for any person to operate an aircraft in pest control unless the pilot operating the aircraft holds a valid pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate issued by the Director of Pesticide Regulation and an appropriate and valid commercial pilot’s certificate and a current appropriate medical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. Existing law requires each pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate to designate the pilot’s status as a journeyman or apprentice, and requires an applicant for a pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate to pass an examination as a condition of licensure. Existing law also makes it unlawful for any person to act as a pest control aircraft pilot in any county without first registering with the appropriate county agricultural commissioner. A violation of the provisions regulating pest control or regulations adopted pursuant to those provisions is a misdemeanor.

This bill would make it unlawful for a person to operate a manned aircraft in pest control unless the person holds a valid manned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate or to operate an unmanned aircraft system in pest control unless the pilot operating the unmanned aircraft holds either a valid manned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate or a valid unmanned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate issued by the director and is certified or otherwise authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate an unmanned aircraft system approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct pest control. The bill would require a pilot to be certified by the State Department of Public Health as a vector control technician, as specified, to be eligible for an unmanned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate under the status of vector control technician. The bill would also make conforming changes. To the extent the bill would impose additional duties on county agricultural commissioners and because the bill would create a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

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.

This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

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.