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Senate Bill 9 moves from committee amid effort to craft compromise on neonicotinoids and rodenticides
Summary
Senate Bill 9, a package covering climate resiliency and restrictions on neonicotinoids and second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides, was advanced to the floor after the chair said negotiators were close to consensus on several high-profile provisions but still vetting insurance and seed-use language.
Senate Bill 9, described by committee leaders as continuation of prior-year resiliency work, was moved out of the Environment Committee on Friday, March 14 after extended discussion about pesticide and rodenticide provisions and how the bill links to municipal resiliency planning.
Senator Lopes, the bill’s lead on the committee, briefed members that the measure combines climate-resiliency tools for municipalities with pesticide and rodenticide policy. He said negotiators have worked toward a compromise on neonicotinoid restrictions after several years of attempts but had not finalized language in time for the meeting. The senator asked members to allow the bill to move forward as a vehicle so agreed language could be added later.
Committee members raised several issues. Representative Callahan asked whether multiple neonic and rodenticide proposals would be consolidated into SB 9; Lopes said that was the goal if a consensus was reached. Representative Dubitsky sought clarification about seed treatments; Lopes said the compromise would include an agricultural exemption for seeds and that the current draft without the amendment would prohibit seed use.
Other members raised jurisdictional questions. Some provisions address insurance-producer disclosures tied to resiliency and property transactions; members acknowledged those items touch other committees but said they were included because of the bill’s focus on municipal resiliency and flood risk education.
Several representatives called for stronger neonics language. Representative Gresco said he supported moving the bill but hoped the stronger House language could be incorporated. Representative O'Day and others asked for more time to refine the neonics and rodenticide sections before floor consideration.
The clerk called a roll call on SB 9 and recorded votes; the bill was referred to the floor for further action. Committee leaders said they would continue to work with the agricultural research station, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and stakeholders to finalize language on neonics, rodenticides and insurance provisions.
Evidence: committee transcript of March 14 Environment Committee meeting.
