Dr. Richard Pinckney

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Provincetown would gain power to ban or tightly regulate second generation anticoagulant rodenticides through local bylaw or Board of Health rules, including prohibiting licensed a

Scrivener's error corrected

Overview

H.4172 is a Massachusetts bill that would authorize the town of Provincetown to regulate, by local bylaw or Board of Health regulation, the use or sale of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) within Provincetown. The bill explicitly allows the town to prohibit the use of SGARs by licensed commercial applicators and other users as part of local authority. The act would take effect upon passage.

What the bill would do

Create local authority for Provincetown to regulate SGARs through a local bylaw or Board of Health regulation.

Allow the town to prohibit the use of SGARs, including prohibiting their use by licensed commercial applicators (as defined in 333 CMR 10.00).

Establish that this local control applies notwithstanding any general or special law (i.e., it provides a targeted exception to broader state law to enable local regulation).

Key provisions

Section 1: Grants Provincetown, notwithstanding Chapter 132B or other laws, the power to regulate the use or sale of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides within the town through local bylaw or Board of Health regulation. This includes prohibition of use by licensed commercial applicators.

Section 2: The act takes effect upon its passage.

Cross-reference: Applies to licensed commercial applicators under 333 CMR 10.00.

Who is affected

Primary: Town of Provincetown and its residents, businesses, and local government entities.

Stakeholders: Licensed pest-control/commercial rodent-control applicators operating in Provincetown; suppliers and retailers of SGARs; environmental and wildlife interests; residents concerned about rodent control and potential non-target wildlife impacts.

Procedural and timeline details

Introduced: May 29, 2025 (House Docket No. 4738; Joint petition by Rep. Hadley Luddy and Sen. Julian Cyr).

Referred to: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (May 29, 2025).

Legislative actions:

Senate concurrence: June 2, 2025.
Hearing: Scheduled for October 27, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room A-1.

Local approval status: Petition indicates Local Approval Received.

Related bill: HD 4738 (the local authorization concept is embodied in this docket).

Potential impacts and considerations

Public health and environmental impact: By enabling Provincetown to ban or restrict SGARs, the bill could reduce non-target wildlife exposure and potential environmental contamination associated with SGARs.

Local implementation: The town would need to draft and adopt a bylaw or Board of Health regulation, establish enforcement mechanisms, and communicate restrictions to residents and businesses.

Economic and practical considerations: Pest-control operators and retailers may need to adjust practices, stock SGAR alternatives, and engage in public education on integrated pest management.

Timeline: If passed, the effective date is upon passage, with local regulations taking effect accordingly once enacted by Provincetown.

Bottom line

H.4172 would empower Provincetown to prohibit or tightly regulate the sale and use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides through local regulatory tools, including prohibiting SGAR use by licensed commercial applicators, with the act taking effect immediately upon passage. The bill has advanced through the Senate and is scheduled for a public hearing in late October 2025.

Bill