Bill > SF4052

This bill, aiming to protect pollinators and ecosystem health, prohibits the sale and distribution of certain seeds coated or treated with systemic insecticides, which are pesticides designed to be absorbed by plants and move throughout their tissues, without prior approval from the commissioner of agriculture, starting January 1, 2029, for specific crops like barley, canola, corn, and soybeans, unless a farm-specific waiver is obtained by the purchaser, which requires integrated pest management training, a third-party pest risk assessment demonstrating necessity, and planting only in the assessed area, with waivers valid for only one year and subject to restrictions to minimize harm. Additionally, the bill prohibits the application of neonicotinoid insecticides, a class of pesticides including common examples like imidacloprid, to outdoor ornamental plants and turf, except in documented environmental emergencies where no less harmful alternatives are effective, and requires applicators using these insecticides to complete annual training. Violations of these provisions can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation or $7,500 per day for continuing offenses, and the commissioner is authorized to adopt rules, issue orders, and report on waiver grants.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/SF/4052/