1. (1) ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL; LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is declared to be in the best interest of the state that public agencies responsible for and involved in arthropod control activities work together to reduce duplication of effort, foster maximum efficient use of existing resources, advise and assist the agencies involved in arthropod control in implementing best management practices and best available technology in controlling arthropods, develop outside funding sources and establish priorities for research into the environmental effects of arthropod control, and enhance communication between all interests involved in arthropod control activities. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to establish the Florida Coordinating Council on Mosquito Control within the department. The Florida Coordinating Council on Mosquito Control shall be an advisory body, as defined in ¹s. 11.611(3)(a).

2. (2) MEMBERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, AND RESPONSIBILITIES.--

   1. (a) Membership.--The Florida Coordinating Council on Mosquito Control shall be comprised of the following representatives or their authorized designees:

      1. The Secretary of Environmental Protection and the Secretary of Health;

      2. The executive director of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission;

      3. The state epidemiologist;

      4. The Commissioner of Agriculture; and

      5. Representatives from:

      a. The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida Medical Entomological Research Laboratory;

      b. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University;

      c. The United States Environmental Protection Agency;

      d. The United States Department of Agriculture, Insects Affecting Man Laboratory;

      e. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service;

      f. Two mosquito control directors to be nominated by the Florida Mosquito Control Association, two representatives of Florida environmental groups, and two private citizens who are property owners whose lands are regularly subject to mosquito control operations, to be appointed to 4-year terms by the Commissioner of Agriculture; and

      g. The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.

   2. (b) Organization.--The council shall be chaired by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the commissioner's authorized designee. A majority of the membership of the council shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. The chair shall be responsible for recording and distributing to the members a summary of the proceedings of all council meetings. The council shall meet at least three times each year, or as needed. The council may designate subcommittees from time to time to assist in carrying out its responsibilities, provided that the Subcommittee on Managed Marshes shall be the first subcommittee appointed by the council. The subcommittee shall continue to provide technical assistance and guidance on mosquito impoundment management plans and develop and review research proposals for mosquito source reduction techniques.

   3. (c) Responsibilities.--The council shall:

      1. Develop and implement guidelines to assist the department in resolving disputes arising over the control of arthropods on publicly owned lands.

      2. Identify and recommend to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University research priorities for arthropod control practices and technologies.

      3. Develop and recommend to the department a request for proposal process for arthropod control research.

      4. Identify potential funding sources for research or implementation projects and evaluate and prioritize proposals upon request by the funding source.

      5. Prepare and present reports, as needed, on arthropod control activities in the state to the Pesticide Review Council, the Florida Coastal Management Program Interagency Management Committee, and other governmental organizations, as appropriate.

      ¹Note.--Repealed by s. 5, ch. 91-429; ratified by s. 33, ch. 96-318.

History.--ss. 17, 18, ch. 86-203; s. 6, ch. 90-90; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 22, ch. 92-203; s. 12, ch. 94-356; s. 1038, ch. 95-148; s. 86, ch. 97-101.