SCR 49 is a nonbinding legislative resolution that designates April 13, 2025, through April 19, 2025, as Mosquito Awareness Week in California. The resolution is largely commemorative and educational, but it is supported by extensive findings describing the public health risks posed by mosquitoes and other vectors, including West Nile virus, dengue, Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, and other vectorborne diseases. It cites California-specific data on recent cases and deaths, highlights the spread of invasive mosquito species, and emphasizes the importance of public awareness, surveillance, research, and control efforts.
The resolution also points to existing state and local infrastructure for mosquito control, including mosquito abatement districts, the California Mosquito Surveillance and Research Program, and public health resources maintained by the State Department of Public Health. It encourages residents, schools, civic groups, businesses, and government agencies to learn about mosquito biology, eliminate breeding sites, and support professionally applied mosquito and vector control methods. The measure directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit copies to the Governor, the State Public Health Officer, and the author.
SCR 49 does not create a new regulatory program, impose duties, or amend the Health and Safety Code or other statutes. Its legal effect is limited to formally designating a week for public awareness and recognition, while reinforcing existing state policy favoring mosquito surveillance, vector control, and public education. The resolution may indirectly support ongoing public health and local control efforts by elevating attention to mosquito-borne disease prevention and the work of mosquito and vector control districts.
The overall sentiment around the bill appears strongly favorable and uncontroversial. The measure passed both houses unanimously, including a 36-0 Senate vote and 71-0 Assembly consent calendar approval, indicating broad bipartisan support. The framing of the resolution as a public health awareness measure, rather than a policy or spending bill, likely contributed to the lack of opposition.
There is little apparent contention in the legislative record. The resolution’s findings acknowledge issues that can sometimes generate debate, such as pesticide use, funding for control agencies, and the balance between chemical and nonchemical mosquito control methods, but the bill itself does not mandate any specific control strategy or funding commitment. Any underlying policy differences are therefore only implicit, and no recorded committee or floor opposition appears in the available history.