BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 896
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Date of Hearing: January 23, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 896 (Eggman) - As Amended: January 8, 2014
Policy Committee: Water, Parks and
Wildlife Vote: 15-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill re-enacts expired provisions of law requiring best
management practices (BMPs) for mosquito control in wildlife
management areas. (These provisions sunset in 2010.)
Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires a mosquito abatement and vector control district
whose boundaries include one or more wildlife management areas
to periodically, at least semiannually, notify the Department
of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) of those areas that exceed locally
established mosquito population thresholds and the associated
costs as specified. This bill authorizes the Department of
Public Health to review the thresholds and costs for
conformity to generally acceptable mosquito control standards.
2)Requires DFW, in any wildlife management areas identified as
exceeding the specified thresholds, to prioritize areas with
the highest need for additional mosquito reduction for funding
as specified.
3)Authorizes DFW to consult with the Department of Public
Health, if the wetland occupies land outside the jurisdiction
of district, to determine which best management practices can
be implemented.
4)Requires a mosquito abatement and vector control district
whose boundaries include a wildlife management area, in
consultation with DFW, to monitor wildlife management areas as
specified and report abatement efforts to DFW annually as
specified.
AB 896
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FISCAL EFFECT
Increased special fund (Fish and Game Preservation Fund) costs
for DFW to prioritize areas likely in the $50,000 range.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose. According to the author, this bill is intended to
reenact provisions of prior law regarding best management
practices for mosquito control in managed wetland wildlife
habitat areas that sunset in 2010.
Mosquito abatement and vector control districts found that
implementation of the BMPs in cooperation with DFW produced
significant benefits, including but not limited to, better
control of mosquito populations and a reduction in necessary
pesticide applications.
2)Background. AB 1982 (Wolk), Chapter 553, Statutes of 2004,
required the development and
implementation of ecological controls, known as best
management practices (BMPs), in wildlife areas that can reduce
the need for chemical treatment while also controlling
mosquito populations below established thresholds. The BMPs
include management strategies that rely more on the timing of
flooding, vegetation control work, and other habitat
practices, rather than on spraying alone.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081