Bill > S556

This bill establishes an ecologically based mosquito management program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions are: The bill creates a Mosquito Management Board within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to regulate and oversee all disease vector mosquito and nuisance organism management activities in the state. The Board is responsible for developing a statewide ecologically based mosquito management plan that prioritizes preventative and non-pesticide control measures, including public education, surveillance, monitoring, source reduction, and wetlands restoration. The Board also has the authority to carry out mosquito management programs in areas not covered by local mosquito management districts. The bill allows municipalities to form certified mosquito management districts, each with its own governing council responsible for developing and implementing an ecologically based mosquito management plan for their district. The districts are prohibited from using aerial spraying of adulticides or larvicides. Municipalities within a district can opt-in or opt-out of receiving certain services from the district, such as larviciding or adulticiding. The bill establishes strict limits and requirements for the use of pesticides, including prohibitions on aerial spraying and requiring the use of the least toxic options. It also prohibits the use of pesticides containing PFAS chemicals. The bill provides for public notification and the ability for residents to opt-out of adulticide applications near their property. Overall, the bill aims to establish an ecologically sustainable approach to mosquito management in Massachusetts, focusing on preventative measures, habitat modification, and restricting the use of pesticides to only when necessary to protect public health.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S556