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S 2877

An Act authorizing the town of Grafton to prohibit or restrict the application of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Moore and 1 co-sponsor

Grafton would be allowed to pass a local bylaw prohibiting or restricting the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides within the town.

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · S 2877

Summary of Bill S. 2877 (194th MA General Court)

Title: An Act authorizing the town of Grafton to prohibit or restrict the application of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides

Jurisdiction: Massachusetts, Local Bill
Session: 194th (2025-2026)

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill would authorize the town of Grafton to prohibit or restrict the use and application of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) within the town.
  • The authorization is a local option, allowing Grafton to regulate SGARs by bylaw, despite any contrary general laws or regulations.
  • The bill is intended to empower Grafton to manage rodenticide use for public health, environmental, or safety reasons as determined by town government.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Enabling Authority
    • Notwithstanding Chapter 132B or other laws, Grafton may adopt a bylaw to prohibit or restrict the application of SGARs within the town.
    • The bylaw could apply to all applications of SGARs, including those by licensed commercial applicators as defined in 333 C.M.R. 10.00.
  • Section 2: Effective Date
    • The act shall take effect upon passage.

Definitions and Scope

  • SGARs are the class of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (a subset of rodenticides used to control rodent populations).
  • Licensed commercial applicators referenced in the bill are those licensed per applicable regulatory standards (333 C.M.R. 10.00), indicating that professional pesticide applicators would be governed by any town bylaw on SGAR use.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: Town of Grafton, including its residents, businesses, and municipal operations.
  • Stakeholders include licensed pest control professionals operating within Grafton and property owners or tenants concerned with rodent control and environmental health.
  • The bill could affect any existing state-level prohibitions or allowances by requiring local-bylaw-based restrictions where enacted.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill received local approval (as indicated by “Local Approval Received”).
  • Action history shows:
    • Hearing and committee considerations occurred in 2026, with scheduling changes noted.
    • February–April 2026: Committee reports and subsequent readings progressed, leading to the bill’s status updates.
    • December 2025: Filed as Senate petition.
  • Effective date is contingent on passage; once enacted, the bylaw would take effect upon the bill’s enactment.

Practical Implications

  • If Grafton adopts a bylaw restricting SGARs, licensed applicators and property owners within town borders would need to comply with the local prohibition or restrictions.
  • Potential impact includes reduced or altered use of SGARs in favor of alternative rodent control methods or different active ingredients, depending on the bylaw’s specifics.
  • The bill does not itself set state-wide restrictions; it authorizes a specific town-level regulatory tool.

Notes

  • The bill is a relatively narrow, locally focused measure enabling Grafton to tailor rodenticide use to local circumstances.
  • Details such as the exact scope of restrictions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and transition timelines would be defined in the adopted bylaw by the town.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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