Relates to including the Asian longhorned tick and lone star tick on the invasive species list, and include them in the comprehensive plan for invasive species management.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7606
SPONSOR: Kassay TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
including the Asian longhorned tick and the lone star tick on the inva-
sive species list
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to officially recognize and begin to address
the growing and serious threat to public and environmental health that
tick-borne diseases, especially those contracted from the invasive Asian
longhorned and lone star tick species, cause New Yorkers and other
animal species which are their host.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
section 9-1713 which adds the Asian longhorned tick and the lone star
tick to the state invasive species list and include both species in the
comprehensive plan for invasive species management, with the goal of
eliminating or otherwise controlling the species at project sites funded
or regulated by the state. Additionally, such management practices shall
endeavor to restore invaded ecosystems and include information on both
tick species on statewide databases and clearinghouses in the state, as
well as from nearby states, the federal government, and Canada.
Section 2. Establishes the enacting clause.
JUSTIFICATION:
New Yorkers are increasingly affected by the dangerous diseases carried
and transferred by tick species, yet there is little being done to
effectively fund research and manage efforts to control the newest tick
species invading our state. Ticks are everywhere, yet they can easily go
unnoticed until the signs of a bite and ensuing symptoms of disease
present themselves. There, are at least 2 species which historically
were not found in the state but which have now been identified and whose
range is spreading rapidly- the Asian. Longhorned tick and the Lone
Star tick. Most New Yorkers are aware that certain ticks can infect a
person with Lyme disease, but there are equally dangerous and even dead-
ly infections also caused by the bite of the Asian longhorn tick and the
lone star tick, namely, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis,
respectively. Without proper antibiotic treatment soon after infection
these ' diseases can be deadly.
Adding the Asian Longhorned tick and Lone Star tick to the list of inva-
sive species recognizes that changes in our climate and environment have
contributed to their expanded range and their invasiveness. This inter-
connection between our changing environment and the public health risk
posed by ticks affirms the appropriate use of invasive species grant
funding for managing the spread of ticks. Controlling ticks happens in
our environment; controlling tick-borne disease happens through public
health education and medicine. Both are needed.
The Asian Longhorned tick and Lone Star tick are invasively making their
way to all regions of the state and must be managed by the state through
a comprehensive approach across environmental and health agencies.
Recognizing and designating these newest species as invasive will open
new environmental funding streams for the critical work needed to manage
and control their spread. Each year millions of dollars are granted for
the purpose of targeted management and control of those species on the
state's Invasive Species List. Making the work of controlling our
state's newest tick species eligible for funding through this Invasive
Species Grant Program will help save lives and control the spread of the
newest tick arrivals in our environment..
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.7852 (May)
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7606
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 1, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KASSAY -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
including the Asian longhorned tick and the lone star tick on the
invasive species list
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a
2 new section 9-1713 to read as follows:
3 § 9-1713. Asian longhorned tick and lone star tick.
4 The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of the depart-
5 ment of agriculture and markets, shall add the Asian longhorned tick and
6 the lone star tick to the state invasive species list and include the
7 Asian longhorned tick and the lone star tick in the comprehensive plan
8 for invasive species management pursuant to section 9-1705 of this
9 title, and wherever practical, prohibit and actively eliminate or other-
10 wise control the invasive species the Asian longhorned tick and the lone
11 star tick at project sites funded or regulated by the state in collab-
12 oration with the council, aid in the review and reform of relevant regu-
13 latory processes to remove unnecessary impediments to the restoration of
14 invaded ecosystems, and include information on the Asian longhorned tick
15 and the lone star tick on statewide databases and clearinghouses that
16 incorporate existing data from agencies and organizations in the state,
17 as well as from nearby states, provinces, Canada, and the federal
18 government.
19 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
20 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
21 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
22 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
23 on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03629-01-5
