Assembly Bill 288 aims to regulate the labeling of plants in relation to their benefits for pollinators. Specifically, the bill prohibits retailers and providers from labeling or advertising any plant as beneficial to pollinators if it has been treated with a systemic insecticide that includes warnings about pollinator hazards on its label. The bill defines key terms such as "plant," "pollinator," and "systemic insecticide" to clarify its scope and intent.

The new statute, created under section 94.51, establishes that any plant sold or provided to an end user cannot be marketed as beneficial to pollinators if it has been treated with certain insecticides that carry precautionary statements regarding pollinators. This legislation is designed to protect pollinator populations by ensuring that consumers are not misled about the safety of plants they purchase. The bill is set to take effect on the first day of the seventh month following its publication.