New Hampshire HB 1431: restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

Bill Text

HB 1431-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

19Feb2026... 0465h

2026 SESSION

 26-2574

 08/07

HOUSE BILL 1431-FN

AN ACT restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

SPONSORS: Rep. J. MacDonald, Carr. 6; Rep. Crawford, Carr. 3; Rep. Damon, Sull. 8; Rep. Maggiore, Rock. 23; Rep. Peternel, Carr. 6; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill restricts the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and requires the pesticide control board to develop rules about the proper application of neonicotinoid pesticides.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19Feb2026... 0465h 26-2574

 08/07

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Subdivision; Neonicotinoid Pesticides. Amend RSA 430 by inserting after section 58 the following new subdivision:

Neonicotinoid Pesticides

 430:59 Definitions. In this subdivision: 

 I. "Bloom" means appeared from the onset of flowering or inflorescence until the petal fall is complete. 

 II. "Neonicotinoid pesticide" means any pesticide containing one or more of the following active ingredients: acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, or thiamethoxam. 

 III. "Ornamental plants" means perennials, annuals, and ground cover purposefully planted for aesthetic reasons. 

 IV. "Structural pest control" means wood preservative pesticide applications of neonicotinoids conducted within enclosed structures, or for remedial treatment, foundation treatments applied directly to a structure's foundation, or limited exterior perimeter applications confined to within 5 feet of the building foundation perimeter, when performed by a certified applicator and applied in a manner that prevents unreasonable risk to pollinators, flowering plants, and surrounding soils. 

 430:60 Neonicotinoid Pesticide Use Restricted. 

 I. The pesticide control board shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the re-classification of certain neonicotinoid pesticides as “restricted use” and shall make rules regarding neonicotinoid pesticide application which may include but are not limited to the following provisions: 

 (a) The pesticide control board may ban the use of any neonicotinoid pesticide for a non-agricultural purpose, non-forestry landscape, lawn, turf, or ornamental garden except to control invasive species or as authorized in RSA 430:61. 

 (b) The pesticide control board may authorize the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticides by state certified applicators when such use and application is conducted in accordance with best management practices established by the department of agriculture, markets, and food. 

 (c) The pesticide control board may authorize the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticides for: 

 (1) Products used for the prevention or treatment of fleas, ticks, or heartworm in companion animals or livestock. 

 (2) Products intended for the treatment of lice and bedbugs and any other indoor use. 

 (3) Application of neonicotinoid pesticides indoors, provided such application does not result in exposure to pollinators. 

 (4) Application of neonicotinoid pesticides by a state certified applicator for wood preservation and foundation treatments applied within a specified building foundation perimeter to manage structural pests. 

 (5) Application of neonicotinoid pesticides for invasive species management. 

 (6) Use of neonicotinoid pesticides for bonafide academic, governmental, or scientific research purposes, including field trials, provided such use complies with all applicable state and federal requirements. 

 (7) Products labeled and intended solely for aquarium use or contained aquatic systems to control aquatic pests. 

 (8) Application to plants grown in enclosed greenhouses or controlled environments that are inaccessible to pollinators. 

 (9) Application to fruit tree orchards so long as: 

 (A) The state certified applicator documents that pest pressure cannot be reasonably managed through integrated pest management or other less harmful pesticides; 

 (B) Application is performed by a state certified applicator and occurs outside of any bloom period of the treated plant; and 

 (C) For any aerial or airborne application as per recommended usage. 

 II. With regard to neonicotinoid use on state property the pesticide control board may determine that no neonicotinoid pesticides shall be used on an