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SF3083 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Pesticides from treated seeds addition to the Commissioner of Agriculture's pesticide management plan requirements; appropriating money

Related bill: HF2761

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill seeks to enhance the management and regulation of pesticides, specifically focusing on those derived from treated seeds. Its goal is to prevent contamination of environmental resources such as groundwater, surface water, and air by these substances. The legislation aims to incorporate systemic pesticide-treated seeds into existing regulatory frameworks and to ensure public health and environmental protection.

Main Provisions

  • Pesticide Management Plan: The bill mandates the inclusion of pesticides from treated seeds in the state's pesticide management plan. This involves preventing, evaluating, and mitigating these substances in water resources.
  • Groundwater Monitoring: The plan requires the addition of pesticides from treated seeds to groundwater monitoring activities, ensuring regular testing and reporting.
  • Surface Water and Air Quality Control: The legislation enables actions to prevent contamination of surface water and air by pesticides from treated seed sources. This includes monitoring and regulation.
  • Labeling Requirements: Seeds treated with pesticides, especially systemic ones like neonicotinoids, must carry specific labels warning about their potential harm, particularly to pollinators.
  • Systemic Pesticide-Treated Seed Program: A new program is to be developed to regulate systemic pesticide-treated seeds. This includes tracking their use, requiring verification of necessity before application, and educating stakeholders on best practices.
  • Research and Development: An account is established for researching alternatives to systemic pesticide-treated seeds, supporting non-chemical pest prevention methods.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Expanded Coordination: The pesticide management plan will now involve local governments and public health agencies, along with other stakeholders.
  • Enhanced Penalties: The bill introduces harsher penalties for pesticide application or planting treated seeds that damage state recreation areas.
  • New Program Development: The law requires the creation of a systemic pesticide-treated seed program, which involves new regulatory measures and collaboration with institutions like the University of Minnesota.
  • Appropriations: Funds are allocated to support the systemic pesticide-treated seed program and research into alternatives.

Relevant Terms

  • Pesticide management plan
  • Systemic pesticide-treated seeds
  • Groundwater contamination
  • Surface water contamination
  • Air quality monitoring
  • Neonicotinoids
  • Labeling requirements
  • Environmental protection
  • Public health
  • Regulatory measures

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toAgriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Pesticides from treated seeds and their breakdown products are added to groundwater and surface water monitoring requirements."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the pesticide management plan under section 18B.045 to include treated seed and breakdown products in monitoring requirements.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts the timeline for the commissioner to submit status reports to the Environmental Quality Board."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "18B.045",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of pesticides from treated seeds and pesticide breakdown products in monitoring private water wells."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill broadens the scope of groundwater contamination prevention under section 18B.10.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "18B.10",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Increases penalties for pesticide application or planting pesticide-treated seeds causing damage to state outdoor recreation lands."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill enhances penalties related to pesticide use on outdoor recreation lands under section 18D.40.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "18D.40",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Labeling requirement for seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, including a bee health impact statement."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section addresses labeling requirements for treated seed.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "21.82",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  }
]

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