AB 718: Mosquito abatement and vector control districts: managed wetland habitat: memoranda of understanding.

Existing law provides for the formation of mosquito abatement and vector control districts, and prescribes the powers, functions, and duties of those districts, as specified. Existing law authorizes a district to levy special taxes, to levy special benefit assessments for specified purposes, and to charge a fee to cover the cost of any service that the district provides or the cost of enforcing any regulation for which the fee is charged.

Existing law requires a mosquito abatement and vector control district whose boundaries include one or more wildlife management areas or in which vectors and vectorborne diseases from a wildlife management area may enter the district to notify the Department of Fish and Wildlife of those areas that are of concern due to the potential for high mosquito populations that may incur associated mosquito control costs. Existing law requires the department to consult with districts to identify those areas within those wildlife management areas having the highest need for additional mosquito reduction through the implementation of best management practices, as defined.

This bill would authorize a private landowner whose property includes managed wetland habitat, as defined, located within the boundaries of a district and meets other criteria to initiate the opportunity to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the district to establish a process to implement best management practices with regard to the managed wetland habitat. The bill would authorize the Central Valley Joint Venture, in consultation with districts, the department, and the State Department of Public Health, to periodically modify the best management practices in order to best fulfill certain purposes. To the extent that the bill imposes additional duties on a district, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.