Senate Bill 709 aims to regulate the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in Wisconsin by prohibiting their application on outdoor ornamental plants, trees, or turf intended for noncommercial use. The bill specifies that such applications are only permissible if they are part of a tree injection, conducted by a certified applicator, or occur during the production of an agricultural commodity, which is defined as any plant, animal, or animal product produced primarily for sale or consumption.

Violations of this prohibition will result in penalties consistent with existing pesticide regulations, imposing a civil forfeiture ranging from $100 to $500 for the first offense and $200 to $1,000 for subsequent violations within a five-year period. The new statute, created under section 94.706, will take effect on January 1, 2026, thereby establishing clear guidelines for the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in noncommercial settings.