Bill
HB 2646
HB 2646 strengthens public health: Illinois requires tick-warning signs in state parks with surveillance data; Arizona bans PFAS in fertilizers and pesticides by 12/31/2026.
Note: The materials supplied appear to include text from two different bills both labeled “HB 2646.” One is an Illinois bill titled “Tick‑Borne Disease Warning” (primary subject per the title). The other is an Arizona bill that would amend pesticide/fertilizer statutes to prohibit PFAS in fertilizers and pesticides. This summary highlights both items, clearly distinguishing them.
Purpose
- Require state agencies to provide warning signage in State‑managed parks and outdoor recreation areas about the presence of ticks and the risk of Lyme disease and other tick‑borne diseases.
Key provisions
- The Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) must annually share results of tick pathogen testing (tick surveillance/pathogen testing) with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
- DNR must obtain, install, and maintain signs at all State‑managed parks and outdoor recreation areas and facilities (examples listed: recreational trail entryways, campgrounds, and other locations DNR deems necessary).
- Sign design/content: DNR may use signage models already in use elsewhere in Illinois or another state or any model it determines appropriate, and signage should reflect the DPH testing results.
- Effective date: the Act takes effect upon becoming law.
Who is affected
- Illinois Department of Public Health (data provider)
- Department of Natural Resources (responsible for signage)
- Visitors to state parks and outdoor recreation facilities (public health messaging)
- Potential minor fiscal impact to DNR for procurement, installation, and maintenance of signs (not specified in the bill text).
Procedural status (from provided actions)
- Introduced: February 6–11, 2025 (documents show both dates)
- Read/referred and considered in committees (Human Services; Agriculture & Conservation; Rules). On record: considered in public hearings and left pending; failed to receive affirmative vote in committee on 2025‑04‑25. Re‑referred under Rule 19(a) to Rules Committee.
Potential impact
- Increased public awareness of tick risk in state parks; potential for earlier prevention and reduced disease transmission.
- Administrative costs to DNR for signage implementation and upkeep.
Purpose
- Amend state pesticide/fertilizer enforcement statutes and prohibit certain fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in fertilizers and pesticides.
Key provisions
- Amends A.R.S. § 3‑264 (enforcement and administrative powers): adds a prohibition effective December 31, 2026, banning distribution and use of any fertilizer (including biosolids and sewage sludge) that contains perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or “any amount of a substance that belongs to the class of fluorinated organic chemicals with two or more fully fluorinated carbon atoms.”
- Amends § 3‑283 (violations and enforcement): clarifies enforcement options; contains language that all violations are class 2 misdemeanors except for violations of § 3‑264(C) (the PFAS prohibition) — suggesting a distinct enforcement approach for PFAS but the new penalty for that specific violation is not expressly stated in the excerpt.
- Amends § 3‑352 (prohibited acts for pesticides): adds a prohibition (effective Dec 31, 2026) on pesticides that contain PFAS or the specified fluorinated organic chemicals. Also retains labeling, registration, and misbranding prohibitions.
Who is affected
- Fertilizer distributors and manufacturers, agricultural producers, compost and biosolid processors, municipalities and wastewater operators that land‑apply biosolids, pesticide registrants and manufacturers, and agricultural retailers.
- Arizona Department of Agriculture (director/associate director) for rulemaking and enforcement.
Timeline and enforcement
- PFAS prohibition goes into effect December 31, 2026.
- The bill allows director rulemaking authority and retains administrative enforcement tools; details on penalties for PFAS violations are not fully specified in the excerpt.
Potential impact
- Would effectively eliminate PFAS‑containing fertilizers and pesticides from legal distribution/use in Arizona after Dec 31, 2026.
- Could require testing, reformulation, supply‑chain changes, and impose compliance costs on producers and users of biosolids, fertilizers, and pesticide products.
- Public‑health and environmental benefits expected from reduced PFAS use and inputs to soil/food/water (not quantified in the bill text).
If you’d like, I can:
- Produce a side‑by‑side comparison of the two versions and their timelines; or
- Draft a plain‑language explainer focused only on the Illinois tick‑warning version for public distribution.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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