Montgomery County Council members need your help to answer that question.
Maryland small business owners in Montgomery County may soon face another regulation: a non-essential pesticide ban.
Bill 52-14, introduced by Montgomery County Council President George Leventhal late last year, would prohibit the use of pesticides on lawns.
“The county doesn’t need to further regulate pesticides,” said Jessica Cooper, NFIB/Maryland State Director. “There are already state and federal regulations.”
NFIB member landscapers and lawn care service providers say this will significantly hurt their business, Cooper said.
On Feb. 12, the council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee took testimony on the bill.
Approximately 30 speakers were expected to testify, after about 40 testified at the first public hearing in January. In total, the events drew testimonies from 71 people, and 700 attendees to the meeting.
Though NFIB/Maryland did not attend the meeting, Cooper said they did submit written testimony opposing the bill.
Before the council even marks up the legislation, the council will have working sessions in March. According to Cooper, a third meeting to collect testimony may be scheduled in April or May before a June vote. On March 16, the committee plans to hear from experts in the field who support the bill. And on March 30, the committee plans to hear from experts who oppose the bill.
Small business owners can offer input by contacting the council at [email protected], copy attorney handling issue: [email protected].
Question: How would a pesticide ban impact your small business? Tell us in the comments section below.
Media
Leventhal gets roughed up on radio defending ‘gentle’ ban on pesticides | Washington Post | March 10, 2015
