
(AUSTIN TX) - State Representative Angie Chen Button passed her first bill House Bill 1530 as a freshman member of the Texas House of Representatives. H.B. 1530 will protect Texans from potentially deadly mosquitoes while saving tax dollars. This is Rep. Buttons first floor initiative aimed at cutting wasteful government spending.
Representative Button is proud to have authored the legislation to save money for local governments including the cities of Garland and Richardson in Buttons district.
Usually Austin passes on new spending mandates to local government. I am so happy that this time we have passed legislation to save local government money. It is even nicer that H.B. 1530 also can help save lives! I am excited that my first legislation passed is a money saving bill and I look forward to continuing my effort to save taxpayer dollars.
Currently public health agencies must license pest control professionals through the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). Unfortunately because of the small number of public health-related pest control licenses and the requirement that TDSHS recover from its license holders all direct and indirect costs the cost per license category has been set at a steep rate of $750 per two year term.
Because of the exorbitant fee charged by TDSHS many jurisdictions have scaled back or dropped licensure altogether putting Texas residents at risk.
In contrast the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) which handles all other pest control licensure in the state charges a minimal $12 fee per year for a similar license category. Representative Buttons H.B. 1530 moves health-related pesticide applicator licensure from TDSHS to TDA.
Because TDA charges lower fees and has a wealth of experience in training and licensing pesticide applicators H.B. 1530 will save jurisdictions money while protecting Texans from the dangers of misapplied pesticides and potentially disease-ridden mosquitoes.
Currently serving her first term in the Texas House of Representatives Representative Angie Chen Button serves portions of Richardson and Garland in Dallas County. Representative Button serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Technology Economic Development and Workforce.