Substitute Bill No. 963 is a legislative proposal concerning the use of neonicotinoids for nonagricultural purposes. The bill includes an amendment to subsection (l) of section 22a-50 of the general statutes, which will take effect on October 1, 2023. The amendment requires the classification of all neonicotinoids labeled for treating plants as restricted use by January 1, 2018. Furthermore, starting January 1, 2024, the bill prohibits the sale, possession, or use of any pesticide containing neonicotinoids, with exceptions for use on agricultural plants or for eliminating invasive invertebrate pests, provided that the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, after consulting with the director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, determines there are no other effective control options available. The definition of "agricultural plant" and "invasive invertebrate pest" is specified, and the bill does not apply to neonicotinoids not labeled for use on plants.

The bill also authorizes the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to assess a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each violation of the provisions related to the use of neonicotinoids. The bill has received a joint favorable substitution from the Environment Committee and a joint favorable report from the Appropriations Committee. The effective date of the act is October 1, 2023, and it amends section 22a-50(l) of the general statutes.