An Act to authorize the town of Lexington to prohibit or restrict the application of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Barrett and 3 co-sponsors

Gives Lexington power to ban or restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides by local bylaw, enabling tailored rules for residents and pest pros to protect wildlife.

Hearing scheduled for 10/27/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

Summary: H.4133 – An Act to authorize the town of Lexington to prohibit or restrict the application of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides

Purpose and intent

Provide the Town of Lexington with authority to prohibit or restrict the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) within its borders through a bylaw approved by Town Meeting.

Establish that Lexington can regulate SGARs beyond existing general laws, enabling local measures tailored to the town’s needs and environmental concerns.

Key provisions

Section 1 – Purpose

Clarifies that the Act enables Lexington to prohibit or restrict SGAR use via a future bylaw approved by Town Meeting.

Section 2 – Authority and scope

States that, notwithstanding Chapter 132B of the General Laws or any other law, Lexington may by bylaw prohibit or restrict the application of SGARs within the town.
The bylaw could apply to all applications, including those by licensed commercial applicators (as defined in 333 C.M.R. 10.00).

Section 3 – Effective date

The Act takes effect upon passage (i.e., once enacted and signed into law, it would be in force immediately or as specified by the Governor’s approval).

Affected parties and impact

Local government: Town Meeting and town officials would gain the authority to adopt a SGAR bylaw.

Residents and property owners: Potentially impact pest control practices, landscaping, and yard maintenance decisions.

Licensed pest control operators: May be subject to new town-bylaw restrictions when operating within Lexington, including those who are licensed under state regulations (333 C.M.R. 10.00).

Environment and public health: Aimed at reducing risks associated with SGARs to non-target wildlife, pets, and humans, depending on the adopted bylaw provisions.

Procedural history and timeline

Introduced: May 12, 2025.

Referred to committee: Environment and Natural Resources (5/12/2025).

Local approval: Indicated as “Local Approval Received” in the bill text.

Senate action: Senate concurred on May 15, 2025.

Hearing: Scheduled for October 27, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room A-1.

Related bill: HD 4655 (House Docket No. 4655) appears to be the House version that would replace this bill.

Practical considerations

By allowing a town-bylaw approach, Lexington could tailor restrictions (e.g., banning SGARs, limiting their use to specific contexts, or restricting sale and application methods).

The measure operates “notwithstanding” existing laws, giving Lexington latitude to adopt more stringent local rules than state regulations for SGARs.

If enacted, the bylaw would take effect upon passage, subject to any gubernatorial approval process.

Summary note

H.4133 would empower Lexington to regulate SGARs locally through a bylaw, potentially affecting pest control practices within the town and contributing to broader environmental and public health objectives at the local level. The bill is currently progressing through the legislative process with a scheduled public hearing in late October 2025.