HB 1431 — restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

HB 1431-FN - AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED SESSIONBY 26-2574THE 08/07 HOUSE BILL19Feb2026... 1431-FN AN ACT restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

0465h SESSION 26-2574 08/07 HOUSE BILL 1431-FN AN ACT restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

Environment and Agriculture ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill restricts the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and requires the departmentpesticide ofcontrol agriculture,board markets, and food to createdevelop anrules educational program about the useproper application of suchneonicotinoid pesticidespesticides. and alternatives.

HB 1431-FN - AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED 26-2574BY 08/07THE STATEHOUSE OF19Feb2026... NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

0465h 26-2574 08/07 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

"Ornamental Plants"plants" means perennials, annuals, and ground cover purposefully planted for aesthetic reasons.

IV.

"Structural pest control" means wood preservative pesticide applications of neonicotinoids conducted within enclosed structures, or for remedial treatment, foundation treatments applied directly to a structure's foundation, or limited exterior perimeter applications confined to within 5 feet of the building foundation perimeter, when performed by a certified applicator and applied in a manner that prevents unreasonable risk to pollinators, flowering plants, and surrounding soils.

  The departmentpesticide ofcontrol agricultureboard shall re-classifyadopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the re- classification of certain neonicotinoid pesticides as “restricted use” and shall limitmake theirrules regarding neonicotinoid pesticide application towhich statemay certifiedinclude applicatorsbut onlyare andnot soldlimited byto licensedthe dealersfollowing only.provisions:

(a) The pesticide control board may ban the use of any neonicotinoid pesticide for a non- agricultural purpose, non-forestry landscape, lawn, turf, or ornamental garden except to control invasive species or as authorized in RSA 430:61.

(b) The pesticide control board may authorize the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticides by state certified applicators when such use and application is conducted in accordance with best management practices established by the department of agriculture, markets, and food.

(c) The pesticide control board may authorize the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticides for:

(1) Products used for the prevention or treatment of fleas, ticks, or heartworm in companion animals or livestock.

HB 1431-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 2 - (2) Products intended for the treatment of lice and bedbugs and any other indoor use.

(3) Application of neonicotinoid pesticides indoors, provided such application does not result in exposure to pollinators.

(4) Application of neonicotinoid pesticides by a state certified applicator for wood preservation and foundation treatments applied within a specified building foundation perimeter to manage structural pests.

(5) Application of neonicotinoid pesticides for invasive species management.

(6) Use of neonicotinoid pesticides for bonafide academic, governmental, or scientific research purposes, including field trials, provided such use complies with all applicable state and federal requirements.

(7) Products labeled and intended solely for aquarium use or contained aquatic systems to control aquatic pests.

(8) Application to plants grown in enclosed greenhouses or controlled environments that are inaccessible to pollinators.

(9) Application to fruit tree orchards so long as:

(A) The state certified applicator documents that pest pressure cannot be reasonably managed through integrated pest management or other less harmful pesticides;

(B) Application is performed by a state certified applicator and occurs outside of any bloom period of the treated plant;

and (C) For any aerial or airborne application as per recommended usage.

NoWith personregard shallto neonicotinoid use anyon neonicotinoidstate property the pesticide forcontrol aboard non-agriculturalmay purpose.determine that no neonicotinoid pesticides shall be used on any property owned, leased, or managed by the state of New Hampshire, including but not limited to state parks, forests, recreational areas, highway rights-of-way, leased lands, and grounds surrounding state buildings, except:

430:61 Use of Neonicotinoid on State Property.

I.

No neonicotinoid pesticides shall be used on any property owned, leased, or managed by the state of New Hampshire, including but not limited to state parks, forests, recreational areas, highway rights-of-way, leased lands, and grounds surrounding state buildings, except:

or (c) Exemptions approved by the pesticide division of the department of agriculture on an “as needed” basis.basis meeting the following conditions:

II.(1) The state certified applicator documents that pest pressure cannot be reasonably managed through integrated pest management or other less harmful pesticides;

(2) Application ofis neonicotinoidperformed pesticidesby ona state propertycertified shallapplicator beand limitedoccurs fromoutside duskof untilany dawn.bloom period of the treated plant;

III.and (3) For any aerial or airborne application as per recommended usage.

NeonicotinoidHB pesticide1431-FN shall- notAS beAMENDED appliedBY toTHE outdoorHOUSE flowering- plantsPage during3 bloom- periods.III.

430:62The Educationpesticide Aboutcontrol Nenicotinoidboard Pesticides.shall devise a plan to notify apiaries registered with the department of agriculture, markets, and food when neonicotinoid pesticides will be applied in areas that may affect their hives.

TheIV. department shall develop an educational program to:

HBThe 1431-FNpesticide -control ASboard INTRODUCEDshall -have Pageall 2plans -for I.restricted use of neonicotinoid pesticides in place by January 1, 2027.

Inform the public about the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides on birds, bees, beneficial insects and pollinators;

II.

Provide guidance on pollinator-friendly alternatives to neonicotinoid pesticides;

III.