New Bill Aimed at Mosquitoes

If signed into law, AB 2465 would require every agency of the state to manage newly acquired property appropriately with a goal of reducing mosquito breeding opportunities. This would include eliminating wasteful watering practices on state-owned lawns and landscaping, and managing wildlife and wetland areas in order to reduce mosquito habitat.

Implementation of this legislation would reduce health care costs borne by the state and local governments resulting from mosquito-borne diseases, including but not limited to the West Nile virus. AB 2465 would reduce costs to local government mosquito control agencies and would reduce the amount of pesticides used to control mosquito breeding. As an association, MVCAC understands that the implementation of AB 2465 would require pre-planning on any new acquisitions, but the legislation will result in an overall cost savings for the future. MVCAC and its member agencies applaud Assembly Member Yamada for recognizing this public health issue and taking the initiative to mitigate the risks associated with mosquitoes and unmaintained properties.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) as defined in the document ''Best Management Practices for Mosquito Control on California State Properties'' on any newly acquired land after January 2011. As the public health protectors against mosquito and vector-borne diseases, the member districts of MVCAC support this sustainable idea.

California State Assembly Member Mariko Yamada has introduced Assembly Bill 2465, sponsored by the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC).