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SD 1283

An Act relative to the use of glyphosate on public lands

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Lewis and 1 co-sponsor

After 2026, glyphosate use on public lands requires state-issued license/permit, allowing only research or emergency uses with no viable alternatives.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1283

Summary: An Act relative to the use of glyphosate on public lands (S.1283)

Overview

  • Purpose: To regulate and gradually restrict the use of glyphosate on public lands in Massachusetts, with a phased prohibition after December 31, 2026, barring licensed or permitted use in specific circumstances. The bill adds definitions for glyphosate and public lands and establishes enforceable pesticide rules applicable to state-owned or maintained properties.
  • Status: House concurred (referral to Committee on Environment and Natural Resources). Introduced February 27, 2025.

Key provisions

Definitions added to Chapter 132B

  • Glyphosate (or glyphosate herbicides): Includes all herbicides that contain glyphosate as an active ingredient, including tank mixes containing glyphosate.
  • Public lands: State parks, playgrounds, school buildings, highway medians owned and maintained by the Commonwealth, and buildings owned and operated by the State.

New requirements and prohibitions (Section 17 of Chapter 132B)

Pursuant to the new section, no person shall:
1) Use pesticides in a manner inconsistent with label instructions.
2) Use, store, transport, or discard pesticides or containers in ways that create unreasonable adverse effects on environment or public health.
3) Use restricted-use pesticides unless the user is a certified pesticide applicator or is under direct supervision by a certified applicator with a valid certificate; with a specific prohibition on paying for structural pest control services unless performed by a licensed pest control operator or licensed under Chapter 460J.
4) Use or apply pesticides in any manner that has been suspended, canceled, or restricted.
5) Falsify records or reports required by rules under this chapter.
6) Fill pesticide dispersion equipment with water through a hose, pipe, or similar transmission system unless equipped with an air gap or reduced-pressure backflow device.
7) After December 31, 2026, apply any glyphosate herbicide on public lands without:
- (A) A license to conduct glyphosate research issued by the State or a federal agency, or
- (B) A State-issued permit to apply glyphosate because:
- (i) there is an immediate threat to human health or the environment, and
- (ii) there is no viable alternative to the proposed glyphosate use.

Post-2026 framework for glyphosate on public lands

  • The prohibition creates a licensing/permit regime for glyphosate use on public lands, limiting application to research contexts or emergency situations where no viable alternatives exist.

Regulatory action (Section 3)

  • The Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture must adopt regulations within 1 year after the act’s effective date.

Affected entities and scope

  • Public lands covered: state parks, playgrounds, school buildings, state-owned highway medians, and state-owned or operated buildings.
  • Practitioners: pesticide applicators, operators, and entities using glyphosate or other pesticides on state-maintained properties.
  • Compliance ecosystem: requires adherence to label directions, proper recordkeeping, and installation of backflow protection.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Effective date not specified in the text provided; regulations to be issued within 1 year of enactment.
  • Post-2026 prohibition on glyphosate use without license/permit (except for allowed research or emergency/permitted use).
  • Legislative actions show House concurrence and referral to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Potential impact

  • Significantly narrows and controls glyphosate use on state-managed lands, encouraging alternative pest management strategies.
  • Increases regulatory oversight, recordkeeping, and compliance requirements for state agencies and contractors.
  • Could influence budgeting and procurement for public land management and trigger transitional planning for alternatives to glyphosate.

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

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