Existing law generally regulates pesticide use by the Department of Pesticide Regulation, and requires the Director of Pesticide Regulation to endeavor to eliminate from use a pesticide that endangers the agricultural or nonagricultural environment. Existing law requires pesticides to be registered by the department, and requires that a pesticide be thoroughly evaluated prior to registration. Existing law provides for the continued evaluation of registered pesticides. Existing law requires the department, by July 1, 2018, to issue a determination with respect to its reevaluation of neonicotinoids and to adopt any control measures necessary to protect pollinator health within 2 years after making that determination. Existing law provides that every person who violates a provision of law or any regulation relating to pesticides is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by
specified fines or by up to 6-months imprisonment, or both.
This bill would require the department, by July 1, 2024, to publish a reevaluation of the latest science regarding the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides, to issue a determination, taking into account the latest science, with respect to a reevaluation of neonicotinoids, as defined, on pollinating insects, aquatic ecosystems, and human health when used for the nonagricultural protection of outdoor ornamental plants, trees, and turf, and, by July 1, 2026, to adopt regulations governing control measures for that use that are
necessary to protect the health of honeybees, native bees, and other
pollinating insects, aquatic ecosystems, and human health, as provided. The bill would require that the reevaluation consider the impacts to pollinating insects, aquatic ecosystems, and human health, including, except as provided, the cumulative impacts of exposure, which the bill would define for these purposes. The bill would require the department to consult with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) in conducting its human health
evaluation and to consider and adopt, or not adopt, all recommendations of OEHHA, as provided.
By expanding the scope of a crime through the adoption of regulations, control measures for the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.