California Senate passes bill mandating comp for pest control firms

Pest control contractors will have to provide proof of continuing workers compensation coverage to maintain their registration, under a bill the California Senate passed unanimously.

The Senate on Monday voted 33-0 to pass SB 1064, introduced by Sen. Josh Newman, a Democrat from Fullerton.

The measure would require the Structural Pest Control Board to ensure that an applicant has a valid certificate of work comp coverage or a statement certifying it has no employees before issuing, reinstating or renewing its registration.

Sen. Newman said not requiring proof of coverage as a condition for registration has created an opportunity for unscrupulous pest control companies to gain an unfair competitive advantage by forgoing the cost of carrying comp insurance.

SB 1064 now goes to the Assembly for further deliberations.

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