Substitute House Bill No. 5217, titled "AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CERTAIN RODENTICIDES," seeks to ban the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in Connecticut starting October 1, 2024. These potent rodenticides include brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone. The bill provides exceptions for their use in specific circumstances, such as by state employees for public health reasons, in agricultural settings, and at medical waste facilities. The bill also outlines penalties for violations, with fines up to $5,000 per incident, and tasks the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection with adopting regulations to protect non-target wildlife from the adverse effects of these rodenticides.

The bill further requires the Commissioner to submit a report by January 1, 2026, detailing the impact of the ban and the effectiveness of existing restrictions and licensing requirements on the use of these rodenticides. This report will assess the consistency with federal law, implications for public health and agriculture, and the health of raptors, as well as the administrative resources required for enforcement. The bill has financial implications for the state, with costs estimated at $99,000 in FY 25 and $93,000 in FY 26, and potential revenue from civil penalties. The Environment Committee has given the bill a Joint Favorable Substitute designation with a vote of 33 in favor and 1 against on March 8, 2024.

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