§ 2-2440 — Pesticide business license, requirements and fees, exemptions; unlawful acts; government agency registration, exemptions; license and registration renewals

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d), it is unlawful for any pesticide business that has not been issued a pesticide business license to:
(1) Advertise, offer for sale, sell or perform any service for the control of a pest on the property of another or apply a pesticide to the property of another within this state; or
(2) perform any service for the control of a pest or apply any pesticide on or at the premises of another person under any commission, division of receipts or subcontracting arrangement with a licensed pesticide business.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the licensing of any person applying restricted use pesticides to the property of another as a certified private applicator or under the supervision of a certified private applicator.
(b) Application for a pesticide business license or renewal shall be made on a form obtained from the secretary and shall be accompanied by an application fee per category in which the licensee applies, and an additional fee for each uncertified individual employed by the applicant to apply pesticides. The application fee per category shall be $140 per category in which the licensee applies, except that on and after July 1, 2028, the application fee per category shall be $112 per category in which the licensee applies. An additional fee of $15 shall be paid for each uncertified individual employed by the applicant to apply pesticides, except that on and after July 1, 2028, an additional fee of $10 shall be paid for each uncertified individual employed by the applicant to apply pesticides. The application fee per category and the additional fee for each uncertified employee in effect on the day preceding the effective date of this act shall continue in effect until the secretary adopts rules and regulations fixing a different fee under this subsection. Any uncertified individual employed for a period of more than 10 days in a 30-day period or for five consecutive days by a licensee to apply pesticides subsequent to such application shall be reported to the secretary within 30 days of such employee's hiring and the fee shall be paid at that time. Each application shall also include the following:
(1) The business name of the person applying for such license or renewal;
(2) if the applicant is an individual, receiver, trustee, representative, agent, firm, partnership, association, corporation or other organized group of persons, whether or not incorporated, the full name of each owner of the firm or partnership or the names of the officers of the association, corporation or group;
(3) the principal business address of the applicant in the state and elsewhere; and
(4) any other information the secretary, by rules and regulations, deems necessary for the administration of this act.
(c) The secretary may issue a pesticide business license to apply pesticides in categories for which an applicant has applied if the applicant files the surety bond or certificate of liability insurance required under K.S.A. 2-2448, and amendments thereto, satisfies the requirements of subsection (b) and pays the required fees. Such license shall expire at the end of the calendar year for which it is issued unless it has been revoked or suspended prior thereto. If a license is not issued as applied for, the secretary shall inform the applicant in writing of the reasons therefor.
(d) The following persons shall be exempted from the licensing requirements of this act:
(1) State or federal personnel using pesticides or pest control services while engaged in pesticide use research;
(2) veterinarians or physicians using pesticides as a part of their professional services; and
(3) any person or such person's employee who applies pesticides on or at premises owned, leased or operated by such person.
(e) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d), it is unlawful for any governmental agency that has not been issued a government agency registration to apply pesticides within this state. Government agency registration shall be required for pesticide applications in the sodium cyanide predator control category, and applicators in this category shall have sodium cyanide predatory control certification. Application for government agency registration shall be made on a form obtained from the secretary and shall be accompanied by a fee fixed by rules and regulations adopted by the secretary, except that such fee shall not exceed $50, except that on and after July 1, 2028, such fee shall not exceed $35. The governmental agency registration fee in effect on the day preceding the effective date of this act shall continue in effect until the secretary adopts rules and regulations fixing a different fee therefor under this subsection. No fee shall be required of any township located within a county that has previously applied for and received government agency registration. Each application for registration shall contain information including, but not limited to:
(1) The name of the government agency;
(2) the mailing address of the applicant;
(3) the name and mailing address of the person who heads such agency and who is authorized to receive correspondence and legal papers. Such person shall be: (A) The mayor or city manager for municipalities; (B) the chairperson of the board of county commissioners for counties; (C) the township trustee for townships; or (D) any person designated by any other governmental agency; and
(4) any other information the secretary, by rules and regulations, deems necessary for the administration of this act.
(f) If the secretary finds the application to be sufficient, the secretary shall issue a government agency registration. The government agency is not required to furnish proof of financial responsibility under this act. Such government agency registration shall expire at the end of the calendar year for which it is issued unless it has been revoked or suspended prior thereto. If a registration is not issued as applied for, the secretary shall inform the applicant in writing of the reasons therefor.
(g) A pesticide business license or government agency registration may be renewed by meeting the same requirements as for a new license or registration. Neither the pesticide business license nor the government agency registration shall be transferable, except that, in the event of the disability, incapacity or death of the owner, manager or legal agent of a pesticide business licensee, a permit may be issued by the secretary to permit the operation of such business until the expiration period of the license in effect at the time of such disability, incapacity or death if the applicant therefor can show that the policies and services of such business will continue substantially as before, with due regard to protection of the public and the environment.
(h) No pesticide business license may be issued to any person until such person is or has in such person's employ one or more individuals who are certified commercial applicators in each of the categories for which the license application is made.

Legislative History

L. 1976, ch. 1, § 3; L. 1977, ch. 3, § 2; L. 1982, ch. 4, § 8; L. 1982, ch. 7, § 1; L. 1985, ch. 13, § 1; L. 1987, ch. 12, § 9; L. 1989, ch. 6, § 12; L. 1994, ch. 199, § 1; L. 1994, ch. 336, § 4; L. 2002, ch. 181, § 3; L. 2004, ch. 85, § 3; L. 2009, ch. 128, § 11; L. 2014, ch. 133, § 1; L. 2017, ch. 86, § 3; L. 2022, ch. 9, § 3; L. 2024, ch. 55, § 3; July 1.