Bill > S2042

Introduced Session

This bill would require the Division of Plant Industry in the Department of Agriculture, under the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, to establish a program to provide grants to municipalities in the State for spotted lanternfly control. Under the program, the Division of Plant Industry would: (1) develop guidelines and procedures for the submission of applications by municipalities to receive a program grant; (2) establish criteria for a municipality to qualify for a program grant; (3) establish a system to prioritize the issuance of grants to municipalities, in greatest need, that: are located in spotted lanternfly quarantine zones as designated by the Department of Agriculture; have incurred damages caused by spotted lanternflies; have demonstrated widespread infestations among buildings located within the municipality; or have native vegetation that is threatened by spotted lanternflies; and (4) designate acceptable uses for the grants, including, but not limited to: the inspection of buildings located within a municipality for infestations; the use of extermination services; and the engagement in remediation activities. The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to be used for the grant program established pursuant to the bill.

Committee Categories

Vin Gopal (D)*,  Paul Sarlo (D), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document