Prohibits certain uses of paraquat dichloride.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shama Haider and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey would ban all paraquat dichloride uses within two years and require worker-protection measures for facilities using it.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee

Summary of Bill A 3086 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and intent

This bill seeks to prohibit the use of paraquat dichloride within New Jersey. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ban all consumer and commercial uses of paraquat dichloride within two years of the act’s effective date and to implement worker-protection measures for facilities that use the chemical.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions:

Clarifies terms for the bill:
CASRN: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number, a chemical identifier.
Paraquat dichloride: The herbicide/desiccant also known as methyl viologen (CASRN 1910-42-5).

Prohibition and worker protections:

Within two years after the act’s effective date, DEP must adopt rules and regulations (pursuant to New Jersey’s Administrative Procedure Act) to:
Prohibit all consumer and commercial uses of paraquat dichloride in the state.
Require owners and operators of facilities that utilize paraquat dichloride to implement measures to protect workers from exposure.

Federal preemption:

The bill exempts uses of paraquat dichloride that are preempted by the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In other words, if federal law already regulates or prohibits certain uses, those preempted uses would not be constrained by this state law.

Effective date:

The act is stated to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Who/what would be affected

Entities that use paraquat dichloride in New Jersey, including:

Consumer users (individuals, households, non-commercial users).
Commercial users (agricultural operations, commercial applicators, businesses using paraquat in their processes).
Facilities that utilize paraquat dichloride would need to implement worker-protection measures to prevent exposure.

State regulatory body:

Department of Environmental Protection would develop and implement new regulations to enforce the prohibition and worker protections.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Timeline:

DEP must adopt the regulatory framework within two years of the act’s effective date.

Process:

Regulations would be developed in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Procedure Act, which governs rulemaking and public notice/comment processes.

Immediate effect:

The act itself takes effect immediately, but the prohibitions and protections would be implemented through DEP regulations within the two-year window.

Context and impact considerations

Public health and safety:

The bill aims to reduce risks associated with paraquat dichloride, a toxic chemical with potential fatal ingestion risks and harmful effects on skin/eyes, as well as ecological concerns from drift and exposure to non-target organisms.

Regulatory approach:

The bill adopts a precautionary, state-level prohibition complemented by worker-protection requirements for facilities that continue to use the chemical during the transition period.

Preemption note:

By exempting federally preempted uses, the bill acknowledges TSCA-related constraints while pursuing stricter state-level controls where permissible.

Sponsorship and status:
- Introduced: January 13, 2026
- Committee: Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Primary and co-sponsors: Sponsor Shama Haider (co-sponsors: Chris Tully, and additional sponsor not listed in provided text)

This summary presents the bill’s core objectives, operative provisions, affected parties, and key procedural timelines to help readers understand its potential impact in New Jersey.