2026 -- S 2660

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LC005304

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TICK CONTROL

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Euer, Gu, Lauria, Valverde, Mack, Murray, and
Kallman

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 7.2

TICK CONTROL

     23-7.2-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) “Department” means the department of environmental management.

     (2) “Director” means the director of the department of environmental management.

     (3) “Public lands” includes federal, state, municipal, or other government-owned lands.

     23-7.2-2. Tick control.

     (a) To further the state’s interest in tick control for the prevention or reduction of tick-borne

diseases, the department shall take all necessary and appropriate actions as follows:

     (1) Enter upon public lands for the purposes of determining the nature and extent of tick-

infested areas and the presence of tick-host animals or tick-inhabited vegetation, taking control

actions as warranted, and providing relevant educational programs.

     (i) Control actions on public lands may include:

     (A) Selective acaricide use;

     (B) Use of biological controls, management of tick-host animal populations or tick-

inhabited vegetation, or other appropriate methods; and

     (C) Coordinate all tick-related survey or control work on public lands with the appropriate

public lands owner or manager.

     (2) When performing control actions on public lands, the department shall:

     (i) Perform all control actions in an environmentally responsible manner and, to the extent

practicable, avoid adversely affecting flora and fauna;

     (ii) Perform all control actions only after any required federal or state permits have been

obtained; and

     (iii) Educate public lands owners or managers about:

     (A) Tick-prone habitats on their lands; and

     (B) Tick control or habitat management practices that may assist in reducing tick

populations on public lands.

     (b) On written approval by private property owner(s) or their authorized representatives,

the department may enter upon private property for any of the following purposes:

     (i) Undertaking department-conducted, tick-related scientific research or tick surveys;

     (ii) Identifying tick-prone habitats; and

     (iii) Advising private property owners as to proper tick control or habitat management

measures that may reduce tick populations on their lands.

     (c) The department shall develop and implement a statewide integrated pest management

strategy for tick control on public lands.

     (d) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement and effectuate a

strategy for tick control on public lands.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TICK CONTROL

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     This act would create a tick control program to be implemented by the department of

environmental management.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005304

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