CA Assembly Bill AB-2892 - Mosquito Control - UPDATE

Article Source: California State Legislature

Summary of 3 Actions

AB-2892 Pest control: mosquito abatement.(2017-2018)

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 2892 (Quirk)

As Amended May 25, 2018 Majority vote

Committee Votes Ayes Noes

Environmental 7-0 Quirk, Melendez, Arambula,

Safety Brough, Friedman, Holden,

Muratsuchi

Appropriations 16-0 Gonzalez Fletcher, Bigelow,

Bloom, Bonta, Calderon, Carrillo, Chau, Eggman, Fong, Friedman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Nazarian, Obernolte, Quirk, Reyes

SUMMARY: Establishes the California Mosquito Surveillance and Research Program to be administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

EXISTING LAW:

• Establishes the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Law, which authorizes the establishment of mosquito abatement and vector control districts governed by a board of trustees.
• Requires CDPH to maintain a program of vector biology and control including providing consultation and assistance to local vector control agencies; providing surveillance of vectors and vector-borne diseases; coordinating and conducting emergency vector control; training and certifying government agency vector control technicians; and, disseminating information to the public regarding protection from vectors and vector-borne diseases.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, enactment of this bill will not result in any fiscal impact to the state.

COMMENTS:

Need for the bill: According to the author,

This bill would identify the California Vector Borne Disease Surveillance System (CalSURV), to be administered by CDPH, in statute as the statewide surveillance database to track and predict the emergence of invasive species and mosquito-borne diseases, provide confirmation of state and local agency testing, and other duties. CalSURV is already operating as a the primary resource center for CDPH, university researchers, and state and local agencies to work collaboratively in order to track and prevent the spread of mosquito borne viruses like Zika and West Nile.

AB 2892 allows CDPH to direct funding to CalSURV in addition to further legitimize the efforts and research being done through CalSURV as a critically necessary platform to support surveillance and research to improve the health of all Californians.

CDPH vector borne disease efforts: CDPH protects the health and well-being of Californians from diseases transmitted to people from insects and other animals. CDPH conducts prevention, surveillance, and control of vector-borne diseases, including Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, plague, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and other tick-borne and mosquito-borne diseases.

California mosquito-borne disease surveillance program: California has a comprehensive mosquito-borne disease surveillance program that has monitored mosquito abundance and mosquito-borne virus activity since 1969. The state program is an integral part of integrated mosquito management programs conducted by local mosquito and vector control agencies. Surveillance and interagency response guidelines have been published previously by CDPH and the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California.

California Vector Borne Disease Surveillance System (CalSURV): CalSURV was established in 2006 as a joint effort by CDPH and the University of California (UC). This joint effort allowed for collaboration between CDPH, UC, and local mosquito and vector control agencies in order to track and prevent the spread of mosquito borne viruses. Through CalSURV’s online portal, organizations from across the state are able to provide real-time reporting and visualization of potentially dangerous mosquito public health risks and to communicate solutions. CalSURV also works as a statewide database for these groups to use for ongoing research. With CalSURV, local agencies and CDPH can effectively document and track the mosquito migration patterns and rate of infection while working cross-functionally with mosquito control professionals.

This bill statutorily establishes CalSURV within CDPH. By placing CalSURV in statute, the bill is recognizing that surveilling vector-borne diseases is a statewide issue and is ensuring the timely and accurate dissemination of information from state and local agencies to the public. It is important to the state and in the best interest of protecting human health that real-time information on mosquito-borne viruses are tracked and reported.

Analysis Prepared by: Josh Tooker / E.S. & T.M. / (916) 319-3965 FN: 0003208

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Date of Hearing: April 10, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AND TOXIC MATERIALS

Bill Quirk, Chair

AB 2892 (Quirk) – As Introduced February 16, 2018

SUBJECT: Pest control: mosquito abatement

SUMMARY: Establishes the California Mosquito Surveillance and Research Program to be administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Specifically, this bill:

1) Establishes the California Mosquito Surveillance and Research Program to be administered by CDPH and requires CDPH to:

• Maintain an interactive Internet Web site for the management and dissemination of data on mosquito-borne virus and surveillance control;
• Provide confirmation of tests done by local or state agencies;

(c) Work in conjunction with local mosquito abatement and vector control districts to conduct research on arbovirus surveillance, transmission of vector-borne disease, and mosquito ecology and control;

• Coordinate with the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, local mosquito abatement and vector control districts, local governments, and other affected stakeholders to share information; and,
• Perform other duties as necessary to protect the public and agricultural health of the state. EXISTING LAW:

• Establishes the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Law, which authorizes the establishment of mosquito abatement and vector control districts governed by a board of trustees. (Health and Safety Code (HSC) § 2000)
• Requires CDPH to maintain a program of vector biology and control including providing consultation and assistance to local vector control agencies; surveillance of vectors and vector-borne diseases; coordinating and conducting emergency vector control; training and certifying government agency vector control technicians; and, disseminating information to the public regarding protection from vectors and vector-borne diseases. (HSC § 116110)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.

COMMENTS:

Need for the bill: According to the author,

"This bill would identify the California Mosquito Surveillance and Research Program (CalSURV), to be administered by CDPH, in statute as the statewide surveillance database to track and predict the emergence of invasive species and mosquito-borne diseases, provide confirmation of state and local agency testing, and other duties.

CalSURV is already operating as a the primary resource center for CDPH, university researchers, and state and local agencies to work collaboratively in order to track and prevent the spread of mosquito borne viruses like Zika and West Nile.

Unfortunately, CalSURV is currently dependent on competitive grants. Its success is in constant flux, leaving staff vulnerable to losing their employment and forced to abandon the numerous projects being worked on.

AB 2892 allows CDPH to direct funding to CalSURV in addition to further legitimize the efforts and research being done through CalSURV as a critically necessary platform to support surveillance and research to improve the health of all Californians."

CDPH Vector Borne Disease Efforts: CDPH protects the health and well-being of Californians from diseases transmitted to people from insects and other animals. CDPH conducts prevention, surveillance, and control of vector-borne diseases, including Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, plague, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and other tick-borne and mosquito-borne diseases. Specifically, CDPH develops and implements statewide vector-borne disease surveillance, prevention, and control programs; designs and conducts scientific investigations to further enhance the knowledge of vector-borne diseases in California; coordinates preparedness activities for detection and response to introduced vectors and vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus; conducts emergency vector control when disease outbreaks occur; advises local agencies on public health issues related to vector-borne diseases; oversees local vector control agency activities through a cooperative agreement; oversees the Vector Control Technician Certification and Continuing Education programs; provides information, training, and educational materials to governmental agencies and the public; and, provides assistance in coordinating issues related to the management of Africanized honey bees, red imported fire ants, head lice, and bed bugs.

California Mosquito-borne disease surveillance program: California has a comprehensive mosquito-borne disease surveillance program that has monitored mosquito abundance and mosquito-borne virus activity since 1969, and is an integral part of integrated mosquito management programs conducted by local mosquito and vector control agencies. Surveillance and interagency response guidelines have been published previously by CDPH and the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California. California is vulnerable to the introduction of highly virulent mosquito-borne viruses of public and veterinary health concern, such as West Nile Virus, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses. If an existing or introduced virus is detected, it is critical that local and state agencies are prepared to respond in a concerted effort to protect people and animals from infection and disease.

Mosquito-borne viruses: Mosquito-borne viruses belong to a group of viruses commonly referred to as arboviruses (for arthropod-borne). Although 15 mosquito-borne viruses are known to occur in California, only West Nile Virus, western equine encephalomyelitis virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus have caused significant human disease. West Nile Virus continues to seriously impact the health of humans, horses, and wild birds throughout the state. Since 2003, there have been 6,030 West Nile Virus human cases with 248 deaths and 1,255 horse cases. Consequently, the California Arbovirus Surveillance Program emphasizes monitoring and providing early detection of these viruses.

California Vector Borne Disease Surveillance System (CalSURV): CalSURV was established in 2006 as a joint effort by CDPH and University of California (UC). This joint effort allowed for collaboration between CDPH, UC, and local mosquito and vector control agencies in order to track and prevent the spread of mosquito borne viruses like Zika and West Nile. Through CalSURV’s online portal, organizations from across the state are able to provide real-time reporting and visualization of potentially dangerous mosquito public health risks and communicate solutions. CalSURV also works as a statewide database for these groups to use for ongoing research. Viruses such as Zika and West Nile have no vaccines and can have long-term health implications. With CalSURV, local agencies and CDPH can effectively document and track the mosquito migration patterns and rate of infection while working cross-functionally with mosquito control professionals.

AB 2892 establishes CalSURV within statute under CDPH. By placing CalSurv in statute, the bill is recognizing that surveilling vector-borne diseases is a statewide issue and is ensuring the timely and accurate dissemination of information from state and local agencies to the public. It is important to the state and in the best interest of protecting human health that real-time information on mosquito-borne viruses are tracked and reported. AB 2892 ensures that the state of California is at the forefront of mosquito borne disease surveillance and prevention, by giving CDPH responsibility over this surveillance program.

Related legislation: SB 382 (Pan, 2017). Would have created the California Mosquito Surveillance and Research Program Account to fund the California Vector-borne Disease Surveillance System and research grants to help mitigate the effects of increasing vector populations. This bill was held on the suspense file in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support

Blood Centers of California

Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District

County Health Executive Association of California

Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District

Fresno Westside Mosquito Abatement District

Lake County Vector Control District

Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District

Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California

Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District

San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District

Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner – Mosquito and Vector Control Division

Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District

Tulare Mosquito Abatement District

Turlock Mosquito Abatement District

AB 2892 Page 4

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Josh Tooker / E.S. & T.M. /

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Date of Hearing: May 9, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

AB 2892 (Quirk) – As Introduced February 16, 2018

Policy Committee: Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Vote: 7 - 0

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill establishes the California Mosquito Surveillance and Research Program to be administered by the Department of Public Health (DPH) and requires DPH to:

• Maintain an interactive internet website for the management and dissemination of data on mosquito-borne virus and surveillance control.
• Provide confirmation of tests done by local or state agencies.
• Work in conjunction with local mosquito abatement and vector control districts to conduct research on arbovirus surveillance, transmission of vector-borne disease, and mosquito ecology and control.
• Coordinate with the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, local mosquito abatement and vector control districts, local governments, and other affected stakeholders to share information.
• Perform other duties as necessary to protect the public and agricultural health of the state. FISCAL EFFECT:

• Increased ongoing annual DPH costs of approximately $720,000 GF for five PYs including a research scientist, public health biologists and microbiologists, and support staff.
• Increased ongoing annual DPH costs of $500,000 GF to contract with the Davis Arbovirus Research and Training Laboratory (DART) for data analysis and utilization, and confirmatory testing in mosquitos and dead birds submitted by local or state agencies.
• Increased ongoing annual DPH costs of approximately $52,000 GF for additional laboratory space and equipment.

COMMENTS:

1) Purpose. According to the author, the California Mosquito Surveillance and Research Program (CalSURV) is already operating as the primary resource center for DPH, university researchers, and state and local agencies to work collaboratively to track and prevent the spread of mosquito borne viruses like Zika and West Nile.

CalSURV is currently dependent on competitive grants, leaving its staff vulnerable to losing their employment and forces CALSURV to abandon numerous projects.

AB 2892 establishes CalSURV within statute under CDPH. By placing CalSurv in statute, the bill recognizes surveilling vector-borne diseases is a statewide issue and helps ensure the timely and accurate dissemination of information from state and local agencies to the public.

2) Background. Mosquito-borne viruses belong to a group of viruses commonly referred to as arboviruses (for arthropod-borne). Although 15 mosquito-borne viruses are known to occur in California, only West Nile Virus, western equine encephalomyelitis virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus have caused significant human disease. West Nile Virus continues to seriously harm the health of humans, horses, and wild birds throughout the state. Since 2003, there have been 6,030 West Nile Virus human cases with 248 deaths and 1,255 horse cases. Consequently, the California Arbovirus Surveillance Program emphasizes monitoring and providing early detection of these viruses.

CalSURV was established in 2006 as a joint effort by CDPH and University of California (UC). This joint effort allowed for collaboration between CDPH, UC, and local mosquito and vector control agencies to track and prevent the spread of mosquito borne viruses like Zika and West Nile. Through CalSURV’s online portal, organizations from across the state are able to provide real-time reporting and visualization of potentially dangerous mosquito public health risks and communicate solutions. CalSURV also works as a statewide database for these groups to use for ongoing research.

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

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