BILL NUMBER:  S2588

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
guidelines for best practices in treating residential properties for
integrated pest management

 PURPOSE :

This bill directs the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to
develop guidelines for best practices in treating residential
properties for integrated pest management to assist in the prevention
of ticks that contribute to Lyme disease and tick-borne infections.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1: Amends Section 33-0303 of the Environmental Conservation
Law to direct the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to
develop guidelines for best practices in treating residential
properties to reduce exposure to ticks. The guidelines shall be
updated annually with current best practices and available on the
Department's website.

Section 2: Establishes the bill will be effective 90 days after it
shall have become a law.
              

 JUSTIFICATION :

According to the most recent reporting by the Center for Disease
Control (CDC), New York State has the third highest number of
confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the entire country and according to
the NYS Department of Health (DOH), while it started as an issue
dominating Long Island and the Hudson Valley, it has quickly migrated
to counties across New York. DOH also notes that since it became
reportable in 1986, over 95,000 cases of Lyme have been reported to
the Department.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted to humans by the bite
of an infected deer tick and is the most common disease carried by
ticks. Because Lyme and tick-borne diseases are considered a threat to
public health and well-being, the state has begun investigating ways
to stop their spread at the source.

Unable to fly and having an affinity for shady, moist areas close to
the ground, ticks often populate bushes, shrubs, gardens and lawns.
Therefore, in order to stop the spread of Lyme and tick-borne
diseases, integrated pest management has the potential to help
significantly reduce the population of infected ticks.

Homeowners need a reliable source of information to turn to when
looking for answers on how to best protect their property from ticks.
They should be aware of the registered EPA approved pesticides that
are recommended for tick prevention and the methods they can
incorporate to better protect both people and pets from exposure to
ticks on their property.

In order to raise awareness for appropriate and effective methods and
to facilitate the delivery of valuable information, this bill directs
the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to develop guidelines
for best practices in treating residential properties for integrated
pest management-the goal ultimately being to rid communities of ticks
that contribute to tick-borne infections.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2016: S.5802-A Passed Senate

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
On the ninetieth day after it shall have become law.