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HB 84

Covington County, judge of probate authorized to exercise equity jurisdiction under certain conditions, Constitutional Amendment

2026 Regular Session

Restricts sale and non-agricultural use of certain neonicotinoids to protect pollinators, while studying seed treatments for potential future regulation.

Delivered to Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 84

HB 84 — The Pollinator Protection Act (2025) — Summary

Status: Passed 1st Reading (Introduced Feb 11, 2025)
Primary subject areas: agriculture, pesticides, bees & pollinators, seed regulation, regulatory studies

Purpose / Intent

The bill aims to reduce risks to honeybees and other pollinators from systemic neonicotinoid insecticides by (1) defining and restricting retail sale and non‑agricultural use of neonicotinoids, (2) directing the State Pesticide Board to monitor federal pollinator risk assessments and recommend follow‑up actions, and (3) studying whether the State should regulate seeds treated with systemic insecticides (e.g., treated seed availability and treatment rates).

Key provisions

  • Definitions

    • Adds a statutory definition of “neonicotinoid pesticide” and lists examples: imidacloprid, nithiazine, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and any other chemicals the Board designates as neonicotinoids.
    • Excludes certain consumer pet-care and personal-care products and products regulated under the State Structural Pest Control Act.

  • Retail sale restriction (G.S. 143-443(a) addition)

    • Prohibits selling neonicotinoid pesticides at retail to the general public unless the seller is authorized to sell a restricted‑use pesticide.

  • Use restriction (G.S. 143-443(b) addition)

    • Prohibits use of neonicotinoid pesticides except by:
    • Licensed pesticide applicators (or persons under their direct supervision);
    • Farmers (or persons under a farmer’s direct supervision) using the pesticide for agricultural purposes as defined by statute (crop, livestock, poultry, equine, or non‑crop agricultural fields);
    • Veterinarians using the pesticides in veterinary practice.

  • Monitoring and reporting

    • Directs the Pesticide Board, with input from its Pesticide Advisory Committee, to monitor the U.S. EPA’s final pollinator risk assessments for the named neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, dinotefuran).
    • Requires the Board to report any recommended statutory or regulatory changes to the Commissioner and the Environmental Review Commission within six months after EPA completes those final pollinator risk assessments.

  • Seed treatment study

    • Directs the Pesticide Board to study whether the State should have authority to regulate sale/use of seeds treated with systemic insecticides, including whether untreated seed and lower‑rate treated seed should be required to be available.
    • The study must consider treatment efficacy, scouting, pest pressure, economic thresholds, planting technology differences, and other relevant factors.
    • Results and any legislative recommendations must be submitted to the Environmental Review Commission by November 1, 2025.

Effective dates

  • Sections adding the neonicotinoid definition and the retail/use prohibitions (Sections 1 and 2) become effective October 1, 2025.
  • The remainder of the act is effective upon becoming law.

Who is affected

  • Directly affected: pesticide manufacturers and distributors, retail sellers of pesticides, licensed pesticide applicators, farmers (especially those using neonicotinoid seed treatments), seed suppliers, and veterinarians.
  • Indirectly affected: beekeepers, commercial and native pollinators, beneficial insects, wildlife (e.g., insectivorous birds), and agricultural producers depending on pest‑control tools.
  • Regulatory agencies: State Pesticide Board, Department of Agriculture/Commissioner, Environmental Review Commission.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Environmental / pollinator benefits: Expected reduction in public exposure pathways to neonicotinoids and improved protection for pollinators if retail access and non‑agricultural uses are limited.
  • Agricultural & business impacts: Farmers may retain access for bona fide agricultural uses, but retail restrictions and potential seed‑treatment regulation could change availability, costs, and planting practices; seed industry and retailers may need to adapt product lines and labeling.
  • Implementation & regulation: The Pesticide Board’s monitoring report and the seed‑treatment study will shape any further regulatory or statutory actions; the six‑month and November 1, 2025 deadlines create a near‑term timeline for follow‑up recommendations.
  • Enforcement: The bill relies on existing pesticide regulatory authority to implement sales and use restrictions; specifics of enforcement, penalties, or administrative procedures would be carried out through Board rulemaking or further legislation if recommended.

Next steps to watch

  • Completion of the Pesticide Board’s monitoring/report after EPA’s final pollinator risk assessments for the listed neonicotinoids (and any recommended statutory/regulatory changes).
  • Publication and content of the seed treatment study by November 1, 2025.
  • Any subsequent rulemaking or legislative proposals based on the Board’s reports that would operationalize sales, use, or seed‑treatment regulations.

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

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