H.B. 656 Summary

• Establishes a whitelist of substances allowed for use as pesticides and fertilizers on state and county property, including federal organic farming standards and minimum-risk pesticides.

• Prohibits use of non-approved pesticides and fertilizers on state and county property unless a waiver is granted, with exceptions for mosquito control, building/structural pest damage, and invasive species management.

• Requires state departments and county agencies to apply to the Department of Agriculture for waivers, with applications including location maps, landscape plans, cost estimates, and documentation that alternatives have been evaluated.

• Allows waivers to be granted for up to two years with conditions such as signage; applications deemed approved if the Department of Agriculture fails to respond within 180 days.

• Exempts state agricultural parks and county agricultural properties from restrictions; exempts whole structure fumigation on school property and property managed under state executive orders not controlled by counties.