Bill > H4187

This bill aims to protect Massachusetts pollinators by defining "agricultural use" and "horticultural use" to include the application of neonicotinoids, which are a class of pesticides that can be toxic to pollinators, and by establishing new regulations for their distribution and use. Specifically, the bill prohibits the distribution of neonicotinoid pesticides for agricultural or horticultural use to anyone other than certified or licensed applicators, with an exception for neonicotinoid-treated nursery plants. It also restricts the use of neonicotinoids to agricultural and horticultural purposes only during the "blooming season," which is defined as the period when flowering plants are actively blooming, and requires that any application during this time, or any application outside of it, must be performed by a certified or licensed applicator who has received specific training. Before applying neonicotinoids, these applicators must provide property owners with information about the risks, alternative products, and obtain an acknowledgment of understanding, though this requirement is waived if the applicator owns the property. Furthermore, any blooming or flowering plants, plant material, or seeds treated with neonicotinoids must be clearly labeled with this information and a description of the risks to pollinators. The bill also mandates training for applicators on the risks and proper techniques for using neonicotinoids and establishes a special commission to study and recommend methods for protecting pollinator health, with a deadline for its final report.