Assembly Bill 289 seeks to prohibit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from using neonicotinoid insecticides on land that it maintains, with specific exceptions. The bill creates a new statute, 29.601 (4m), which outlines that the DNR cannot apply these insecticides on its lands, except in cases where they are used under existing cooperative farming agreements or contracts, or for forest insect control in designated areas such as state forest nurseries, seed orchards, or zones of infestation.

The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting the environment and potentially vulnerable species by limiting the use of harmful insecticides. The exceptions provided ensure that necessary agricultural and forestry practices can continue without interruption, while still aiming to reduce the overall use of neonicotinoids in state-managed lands.