Bill to Abolish Texas Structural Pest Control Board Passes House

AUSTIN, Texas — A bill that would abolish the Texas Structural Pest Control Board (TSPCB) and transfer its functions to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), passed the Texas House of Representatives on Monday. House Bill 2458 was passed in the House by a vote of 137-2 and has been sent to the Senate.

“We are sort of reeling now, because we had no idea it was going to get slammed like that,” said Ken Myers, executive director of the Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA).

In recent years, the board had come under fire from many Texas PCOs for having shifted from a compliance-assisted mode to 100 percent enforcement. Still, after some debate, TPCA threw its weight behind saving the board — with changes. TPCA concluded it was better to be regulated by TSPCB as opposed to TDA, a department less familiar with TPCA and its members.

“We met with Sunset Committee members last year and recommended that the board remain intact with changes,” Myers said.

The Sunset Committee voted 6-5 last year to abolish the board, and its recommendations were passed along to the House.

Despite the setback in the House Myers said TPCA will continue to lobby for the board in the Senate.