Bill > S478

This bill requires any public utility, state agency, or authority that manages land corridors, known as rights-of-way, through a town or over property managed by a water district to offer a "no-spray agreement" for consideration. This agreement would outline how vegetation is managed without using pesticides, detailing responsibilities, costs, and what happens if parties don't fulfill their obligations. If an agreement isn't reached within 60 days of discussions, unresolved issues will be decided by arbitration, where parties can mutually agree on an arbitrator or select a panel of three. If a reasonable no-spray offer is made and no agreement is reached within 90 days, the utility can proceed with pesticide application or other vegetation control methods at its discretion. Similarly, if a town or water district agrees to handle vegetation control but fails to do so by the agreed-upon date, the utility can also take action after providing 90 days' written notice. The bill's intent is to provide an alternative to pesticide use for vegetation management, but it does not prevent towns from enacting their own rules or utilities from managing their rights-of-way if no no-spray agreement is in place.