Written by: Billy Olesen, WSPMA SPAR
As the State Policy Affairs Representative for the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA), I am proud to reflect on this year’s NPMA Legislative Day—a day that underscored the importance of proactive engagement with our elected officials. Our commitment to dialogue with government leaders is a cornerstone of our mission, ensuring that our industry's voice is heard and that our members are equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to uphold industry best practices.
This year, our delegation—comprising WSPMA Executive Director Samantha Malone, WSPMA President and First Lady Mark & Patty Lee, Director of Operations at Sprague Pest Solutions Shane Hartnett, and myself—had the privilege of meeting with staff from Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Patty Murray, and Representative Marilyn Strickland’s offices in Washington DC. These meetings allowed us to discuss critical legislative issues that affect our industry and the communities we serve. We believe that consistent, informed communication with our elected representatives is essential. By articulating the challenges and opportunities we face, we build strong partnerships that help shape policies in favor of sound pest management practices and public safety.
One of the key topics this year was advocating for federal preemption to be added into the farm bill. This measure is designed to establish a single, state-led agency responsible for pesticide regulation across Washington State. The intended outcome is to streamline decision-making and ensure consistent pesticide policies statewide. In practical terms, this would mean that local cities and municipalities would no longer be able to impose their own pesticide restrictions, thereby reducing regulatory fragmentation and supporting a uniform standard that benefits both our members and the agricultural community.
In addition to these discussions, the legislative staff raised many thoughtful questions around pollinator health—a subject that is critical to environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity. We were pleased to have the opportunity to highlight the outstanding work of Samantha Malone and the education committee, who has been instrumental in developing and deploying an annual online workshop aimed at reminding our members to be good stewards of the products we use. These sessions not only foster best practices in pest management but also emphasize the importance of safeguarding pollinator populations. The staffers were particularly receptive to this initiative, recognizing it as a model of proactive industry engagement that balances operational needs with environmental stewardship.
We also addressed matters concerning rodenticides and the need for adequate malaria funding, highlighting the broader public health context in which pest management operates. These topics are vital as they directly influence both our operational environment and our ability to deliver industry-leading services. Our dialogue with legislative staff was robust, reflecting the complex interplay between regulatory oversight and the need for effective, science-based pest management solutions.
Every conversation and every policy discussion is undertaken with the goal of ensuring that our WSPMA members remain at the forefront of industry excellence. We are dedicated to providing our members with the resources, education, and advocacy support necessary to meet and exceed the challenges of our field. Your membership is invaluable, and your ongoing support reinforces our collective strength as an industry.
Looking ahead, I am excited to announce that we are in the process of planning a Washington State Legislative Day in Olympia for next year. This event will serve as another opportunity for direct engagement with policymakers and further solidify our advocacy efforts. We will be sharing more detailed information with you later this summer and into the fall, so please stay tuned.
In closing, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all our members for your unwavering commitment to excellence and for supporting our advocacy initiatives. Together, we are ensuring that the future of pest management in Washington State remains robust, innovative, and grounded in the best practices that have defined our industry for years.
— Billy Olesen, WSPMA SPAR