HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3849        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Carmine Lawrence Gentile

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act empowering vulnerable municipalities to protect residents and the environment from harmful pesticides.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3849        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act empowering vulnerable municipalities to protect residents and the environment from harmful pesticides.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. The second paragraph of section 1 of chapter 132B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-

This chapter shall determine the regulation of labeling, distribution, sale, storage, transportation, use and application, and disposal of pesticides in the commonwealth; provided, however, that this chapter shall establish the minimum standards and restrictions relative to the use and application and disposal of pesticides. Cities and towns which (a) contain sole source aquifer as designated by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency or the commonwealth of Massachusetts or (b) that have a majority of residential drinking water users served by private wells may, by a majority vote of the legislative body and the municipality's board of health, adopt ordinances and by-laws that regulate, restrict or prohibit the outdoor, non-agricultural use and application, and the disposal of all pesticides within the city or town that are more stringent than the standards and restrictions established by this chapter; provided further, that for purposes of this section, “use and application” and “disposal” of pesticides shall not include the transportation of pesticides.