"The next bill before me is Introductory Number 90-A, sponsored by Council Members Reed, Baez, Comrie, DeBlasio, Diaz, Koppell, McMahon, Martinez, Monserrate, Nelson, Quinn, Reyna, Rivera, Sears, Liu, Gerson, and Lopez.

"Rodent control, a major concern for most large cities, is especially challenging in New York City, which is by far the nation's most densely populated large municipality.  This legislation establishes minimum fines for the violation of or nonconformance with provisions of the New York City Health Code or any other applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to the eradication of rodents, the elimination of rodent harborages or other rodent related nuisances.  The legislation establishes a minimum fine of $300 for the failure to abate rodents and requires a doubling of the fine for subsequent violations within a 2-year period. 

"Although the Health Department is responsible for enforcing the City's Health Code with regard to rodent control, every business, and every resident has an important role to play in the City's war on rats."