Bill
Bill > H937
MA H937
Providing for the public health by establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program in the Commonwealth
summary
Introduced
03/29/2021
03/29/2021
In Committee
03/29/2021
03/29/2021
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
Introduced Session
192nd General Court
Bill Summary
Relative to establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
AI Summary
This bill establishes an ecologically based mosquito management program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions are:
- Creates a Mosquito Management Board within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to oversee and regulate all mosquito and vector-borne disease management activities in the state. The Board is responsible for developing a state ecologically based mosquito management plan, which prioritizes preventative and non-pesticide control measures.
- Allows municipalities to form Mosquito Management Districts, each with its own Mosquito Management Council to implement the state's plan at the local level. Councils are responsible for surveillance, monitoring, source reduction, and limited use of larvicides and adulticides as a last resort.
- Prohibits the aerial application of any larvicides or adulticides, and sets strict scientific thresholds and notification requirements for the limited ground-based application of these pesticides.
- Bans the use of pesticides containing PFAS chemicals for mosquito control, and requires testing and certification that other pesticides are PFAS-free.
- Establishes public education and outreach requirements to inform residents on mosquito-borne disease risks and ways to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
- Provides a process for residents to file complaints about violations of the mosquito management plan, and for the state to enforce compliance.
Overall, the bill aims to shift mosquito control in Massachusetts towards an ecologically-based approach focused on prevention, monitoring, and habitat restoration rather than widespread pesticide use.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (12)
Tami Gouveia (D)*,
Adam Hinds (D)*,
Carol Doherty (D),
Jamie Eldridge (D),
Nika Elugardo (D),
Carmine Gentile (D),
Jim Hawkins (D),
David LeBoeuf (D),
Marc Pacheco (D),
Lindsay Sabadosa (D),
Dan Sena (D),
Tommy Vitolo (D),
Last Action
Accompanied a study order, see H5041 (on 08/29/2022)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H937 |
Bill | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H937.pdf |
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