Bill Text: NJ A3671 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: The "Pesticide Use Reduction Recognition Act."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-06 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [A3671 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A3671-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOHN F. MCKEON
District 27 (Essex)
Assemblyman CHARLES MAINOR
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
The "Pesticide Use Reduction Recognition Act."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the use of pesticides, and supplementing P.L.1971, c.176 (C.13:1F-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Pesticide Use Reduction Recognition Act."
2. The Legislature finds and declares that the indiscriminate use of pesticides can pose risks to people, property and the environment, that alternative approaches are available that reduce the overall use of chemicals, and that integrated pest management (IPM) is a strategy that consists of the use of a combination of pest monitoring, good sanitation practices, appropriate solid waste management, building maintenance, alternative physical, mechanical and biological pest controls, and only as a last resort the use of the least hazardous chemical pesticide, and that IPM is an environmentally sound and cost effective method for controlling pest problems that has demonstrated its effectiveness in various settings.
The Legislature therefore determines that it is the public policy of the State to encourage voluntary reduction in the use of pesticides, and that one method by which this may be accomplished is by recognizing the actions of the governing bodies of counties and municipalities and school boards, as well as individual residents and business owners, to voluntarily reduce their use of pesticides.
3. As used in this act:
"Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
"Eligible governing body" means the governing body of a county or municipality, or a school board.
"Integrated pest management or IPM" means a strategy for the control of pests that consists of a combination of pest monitoring, good sanitation practices, appropriate solid waste management, building maintenance, alternative physical, mechanical and biological pest controls, and only as a last resort the use of the least hazardous chemical pesticide.
"Pesticide free" means the absence of the use of any pesticides.
"Resident" means a person who owns, rents or occupies residential property.
"Residential property" means any building or part of a building used, to be used or held for use as a home or residence, together with the land upon which it is located.
4. The department shall develop a program for the recognition of voluntary pesticide use reduction. The department shall establish standards for the use of integrated pest management, compliance with which shall qualify counties, municipalities, and school boards for recognition. The department shall also establish standards for property to be considered pesticide free, compliance with which shall qualify residents and business owners for recognition. The department shall develop appropriate means of recognition, such as certificates and signs.
5. a. The department shall grant a certificate and provide a sign to an eligible governing body upon its pledge that IPM is utilized upon all property under its jurisdiction.
b. A governing body granted a certificate and sign pursuant to subsection a. of this section may display the certificate and sign in a prominent location.
c. The governing body may post the sign or display the certificate for such time as the property under its jurisdiction continues to meet the standards for the use of IPM.
d. The governing body may publicize its receipt of recognition for its pesticide use reduction in any manner it deems appropriate.
6. a. A municipality may present a resident or a business owner with a certificate and sign upon a pledge by the resident that his property meets the standards established to be considered pesticide free. A municipality may implement a public education program to encourage the adoption by its residents and business owners of the pesticide free standards.
b. A resident or business owner granted a certificate and a sign pursuant to subsection a. of this section may display the certificate and sign in a prominent location.
c. The resident or business owner may post the sign or display the certificate for such time as the property continues to meet the standards for pesticide free.
7. The department shall establish, by rule or regulation adopted pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), standards for qualifying for IPM and the pesticide free certificate and sign.
8. This act shall take effect on the 180th day following enactment, except that the Commissioner of Environmental Protection may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of the act.
STATEMENT
This bill, to be known as the "Pesticide Use Reduction Recognition Act," seeks to reduce the use of pesticides throughout the State. The bill encourages (1) refraining from the use of pesticides, and (2) the use of integrated pest management (IPM), which is a pest control strategy that consists of a combination of pest monitoring, good sanitation practices, appropriate solid waste management, building maintenance, alternative physical, mechanical and biological pest controls, and only as a last resort the use of the least hazardous chemical pesticide.
This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a program for the recognition of voluntary pesticide use reduction. The department would grant a certificate and provide a sign to an eligible governing body upon its pledge that IPM is utilized upon all property under its jurisdiction. In addition, a municipality may present a resident or a business owner with a certificate and sign upon a pledge by the resident that his property meets the standards established by the DEP to be considered pesticide free.
