"An Act establishing an ecologically-based mosquito management program in the Commonwealth to protect public health" (S.445/H.845) have made it into their respective Ways and Means Committees. Very soon, these committees will determine the fate of these bills. We want to do one last push to legislators to ask the Ways and Means Committees to support these important bills. They were filed by Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Kathleen LaNatra, and replace the Commonwealth’s outdated and expensive mosquito management system with one that is more effective, affordable, transparent, ecologically responsible, and scientifically based.

This legislation builds on the recommendations of the Mosquito Control for the 21st Century Task Force,
which called for modernization of mosquito control under a new framework to protect human health and enhance climate resilience.

The current system is greatly outdated and reform is urgently needed.

Please ask your legislators to request that Ways and Means support these bills for the health of our lands, waters, wildlife, and communities.

Recommendations contained in this bill include:

Policy Structure
❖ Repeal/Replace antiquated MGL Ch. 252.
❖ Revise structure and funding.

❖ MassDEP replaces DAR as supervising agency.
❖ Apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
❖ Establish science-based statewide Mosquito Management Plan.
❖ Provide low cost basic services to all municipalities, with additional services by local choice.
❖ Improve transparency and accountability.

Best Practices

❖ Provides for monitoring impacts and effectiveness of mosquito management measures.
❖ Requires menu of services available to municipalities not part of mosquito control districts.
❖ Strengthens Task Force Best Management Practice recommendations.
❖ Requires creation of an emergency arbovirus response plan for a public health emergency.
❖ Prohibits aerial spraying of pesticides (minority Task Force recommendation, supported by independent health experts).

Pesticide Selection

❖ Strengthens Task Force pesticide recommendations.

❖ Requires Board to work with scientists on effectiveness of mosquito program.
❖ Requires an annual, publicly available report.
❖ Prohibits use of any pesticide containing PFAS.

Local Engagement

❖ Strengthens Task Force Local Engagement recommendations.
❖ Focus on private property education; allow land owners to determine mosquito management / opt-out.
❖ Provides flexibility for any two municipalities to work together as a mosquito management district.
❖ Allows current Mosquito Control Districts to continue work through transition to newly formed mosquito management councils.