summary
Introduced
02/11/2015
02/11/2015
In Committee
03/19/2015
03/19/2015
Crossed Over
05/25/2016
05/25/2016
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Zika Vector Control Act This bill amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency or a state from requiring a permit under the Clean Water Act for a discharge from a point source into navigable waters of a pesticide authorized for sale, distribution, or use under FIFRA, or a residue resulting from the application of the pesticide. Point source pollution is waste discharged from a distinct place, such as a pipe, channel, or tunnel. The bill establishes exemptions for the following discharges containing a pesticide or pesticide residue: (1) a discharge resulting from the application of a pesticide in violation of FIFRA that is relevant to protecting water quality, if the discharge would not have occurred but for the violation or the amount of pesticide or pesticide residue contained in the discharge is greater than would have occurred without the violation; (2) stormwater discharges regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); and (3) discharges regulated under NPDES of manufacturing or industrial effluent or treatment works effluent and discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, including a discharge resulting from operations concerning ballast water held in ships to increase stability or vessel biofouling prevention.
AI Summary
This bill, the Zika Vector Control Act, amends two key environmental laws: the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which governs pesticide regulation, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, which regulates water pollution. Essentially, the bill aims to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a state from requiring a permit under the Clean Water Act for any discharge into navigable waters that contains a pesticide authorized for use under FIFRA, or the residue from such a pesticide, when that discharge results from the pesticide's application. This exemption applies to "point source" pollution, which is waste coming from a specific, identifiable location like a pipe. However, the bill includes specific exceptions where a permit would still be required, such as for discharges resulting from the misuse of a pesticide that harms water quality, stormwater discharges already regulated under a permit system called the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and certain discharges related to industrial operations, wastewater treatment, or the normal functioning of vessels, including ballast water and anti-fouling treatments. It's important to note that these changes were set to expire on September 30, 2018.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 570. (on 07/14/2016)
Official Document
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