HB4558 Summary

• Prohibits use of neonicotinoid pesticides outdoors on State-owned or State-maintained land beginning January 1, 2023, with exceptions for structural pest control and non-native insect borer abatement.

• Permits neonicotinoid use for non-native insect borer abatement only through basal bark spray, basal drench, soil injection, or trunk injection methods—prohibiting broadcast soil treatment, foliar spraying, or dusting.

• Requires neonicotinoid applications on insect-pollinated plants to occur after blooming ends and with sufficient time for chemical decomposition before the next bloom season.

• Exempts pretreated seeds containing neonicotinoids on public lands and allows neonicotinoid use on property belonging to public institutions of higher education.

• Defines "neonicotinoid" to include clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, nithiazine, nitenpyram, and other neonicotinoids identified by Department of Agriculture rules; classifies all neonicotinoids as restricted use pesticides.