Across the JCS Marketing network Visit JCS Marketing

DPR Proposes Higher Fines for Serious Pesticide Violations, Comment Period Open Through July 28

Reg Watch
SPECIAL ALERT

DPR announced on June 12, 2026 a proposed overhaul of its Enforcement Response Regulations, the first significant update since 2006. The proposal would amend 3 CCR sections 6128 and 6130 and adopt new section 6132, raising civil penalties for violations that pose health hazards, creating a new violation class, and requiring commissioners to weigh repeat-violation history when setting fines.

The changes apply to how County Agricultural Commissioners in all 58 California counties classify and penalize pesticide use violations. DPR is accepting public comment through July 28, 2026 and will hold three virtual public hearings during the comment period.

Next deadline · Written comments closeJuly 28, 2026

Proposed fine ranges

Class A(1)$3,000 to $15,000was $700
New Class A(2)$1,200 to $15,000
Class B$300 to $3,000was $250

Who it hits

  • Growers, PCAs, and licensed pesticide applicators statewide who are subject to CAC civil penalty actions.
  • County Agricultural Commissioners and their enforcement staff across all 58 counties.
  • Any business or individual with a history of pesticide use violations, since the proposal increases penalties for repeat offenders based on statewide enforcement history.

Key dates

  • Virtual public hearing: pre-hearing presentation at 5:30 p.m., regulatory hearing and public comment 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Virtual public hearing: pre-hearing presentation at 9:30 a.m., regulatory hearing and public comment 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • Final day of the 45-day public comment period; written comments must be postmarked or received by this date. Also the date of the third virtual public hearing, with pre-hearing presentation at 5:30 p.m. and regulatory hearing 6:00-8:00 p.m.

What to do now

  1. Submit written comments via DPR’s SmartComment portal or by email to dpr26002@cdpr.ca.gov by July 28, 2026.
  2. Register for one or more of the three virtual public hearings (July 8, July 21, or July 28) to give oral comment.
  3. Review proposed 3 CCR section 6130 to see how the new Class A(2) category and revised fine ranges could affect your operation’s compliance history exposure.
  4. If registering as a group under one Zoom login, note this on the registration form so DPR can capture each participant’s comment.

Source: DPR Press Release, June 12, 2026. This summary is provided for general information and is not legal advice.