The bill amends Section 23-25-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-25, "Pesticide Control," by introducing new definitions for first and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. It prohibits the sale of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in consumer and online retail stores starting March 1, 2026, and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides beginning January 1, 2027. Furthermore, the use of these rodenticides will be restricted from January 1, 2028, with exceptions for public health activities, the protection of drinking water supplies, control of vectors for mosquito-borne illnesses, eradication of non-native invasive species of rodents, and control of documented rodent infestations where other alternatives are inadequate.

In addition, the bill establishes a new chapter titled "Rodent Integrated Pest Management Pilot Program Act," which allows municipalities to implement a voluntary pest management pilot program focused on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This program will include sanitation, landscaping, promotion of natural predators, and the use of rodent contraceptives to manage rodent populations. Municipalities will designate a responsible agency to oversee the program, which will involve inspections and tracking of rodent activity. The pilot program is set to begin no later than July 1, 2026, and will last at least twelve months. A report on the outcomes of the pilot program must be submitted to the municipality's mayor or administrator and then to the Department of Environmental Management. An Integrated Pest Management Fund will be created to support these efforts, with oversight from the Department of Environmental Management, and the provisions of this chapter will expire on October 1, 2028, unless extended by the General Assembly.

Statutes affected:
651: 23-25-4
651  SUB A: 23-25-4