WASHINGTON, D.C. — The “Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011,” or H.R. 872, cleared an important hurdle yesterday when the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted 46-8 in support of the bill.

In January, 2009, a Federal Appeals Court ruled that costly and burdensome Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permits are required for millions of pesticide applications. The ruling is scheduled to go into effect in April and may impact many pest management professionals, especially those performing mosquito and aquatic weed treatments.

H.R. 872. will exempt lawful pesticide applications from the requirement to obtain an NPDES permit. 

NPMA’s goal is to include the bill in the continuing resolution to fund the government that Congress will consider in two weeks.

On Tuesday, attendees of Legislative Day 2011 met with their legislators and encouraged them to support H.R. 872. NPMA’s Bob Rosenberg and Gene Harrington believe that Tuesday’s outcome would not have as good if not for these visits. Members voting against the measure were:  Elijah Cummings (MD), Peter DeFazio (OR), Donna Edwards (MD), Bob Filner (CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), Daniel Lipinski (IL), and Grace Napolitano (CA).