Bill > HF3704

This bill aims to protect pollinators and the environment by regulating the use of certain insecticides. It prohibits the sale and distribution of specific seeds, including barley, canola, corn, and soybeans, that are coated or treated with systemic insecticides, which are pesticides absorbed by plants and moved throughout their tissues, unless the buyer obtains a special waiver from the commissioner of agriculture. This waiver requires the buyer to complete training in integrated pest management, provide a pest risk assessment demonstrating the necessity of using these treated seeds, and agree to plant them only in specific areas. The bill also prohibits the application of neonicotinoid insecticides, a class of pesticides that includes common chemicals like imidacloprid, to outdoor ornamental plants and turf, with exceptions only granted by the commissioner in documented environmental emergencies where no less harmful alternatives are effective. Furthermore, applicators using neonicotinoids must complete annual training, and agricultural dealers selling treated seeds must report sales and waivers to the commissioner. Violations of these provisions can result in significant civil penalties, up to $10,000 per violation or $7,500 per day for ongoing offenses.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/HF/3704/