What's happening
This bill bans nonemergency pesticide use in New York municipal and state park lands and requires public notice before application.
Why it matters
Limits exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. By banning nonemergency pesticide and lawn care pesticide use in public parks, the bill aims to reduce risks to children, pets, wildlife, and park visitors who might otherwise come into contact with these substances.
Encourages safer pest control alternatives. The bill allows exceptions for microbial and biochemical pesticides, which are generally less toxic and more environmentally friendly, potentially pushing municipalities to adopt greener pest management methods.
Enhances public transparency and involvement. The mandatory 72-hour public notice (both onsite and online) before any pesticide application gives communities time to avoid exposure, voice concerns, or seek clarification, increasing government accountability.
Empowers regulatory oversight. By authorizing the Department of Environmental Conservation to develop rules and regulations, the bill gives the state flexibility to address emerging pesticide issues and adapt to new science or community needs over time.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Pesticides in Public Parks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Pesticides in Public Parks
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor José M. Serrano
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1555
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the nonemergency application of pesticide or lawn care pesticide within any municipal park lands and lands under the jurisdiction of the state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation and requiring notice of pesticide application
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 37-0123 to read as follows: § 37-0123. Prohibition of nonemergency application of pesticide or lawn
care pesticide.
1. No person, firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, corporation, municipality or government entity shall allow or implement the nonemergency application of pesticide or lawn care pesticide in any municipal park lands and lands under the jurisdiction of the state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation.
2. Prior to any application of pesticide or lawn care pesticide, the office shall provide public notice at least seventy-two hours prior to such application. Such public notice shall remain posted on the premise and on any internet web site operated by the office for seventy-two hours.
3. For the purposes of this section:
(a) "pesticide" means a fungicide used on plants, an insecticide, a herbicide or a rodenticide, but does not mean a sanitizer, disinfectant, antimicrobial agent or pesticide bait in a tamper resistant container;
(b) "lawn care pesticide" means a pesticide registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and labeled pursuant to the federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act for use in lawn, garden and ornamental sites or areas, but shall not include any:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03137-01-5
(1) microbial pesticide or biochemical pesticide that is registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency; or
(2) a pesticide classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as an exempt material under 40 CFR 152.25;
(c) "microbial pesticide" means a pesticide that consists of a microorganism as the active ingredient; and
(d) "biochemical pesticide" means a naturally occurring substance that controls pests by nontoxic mechanisms.
4. The department is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.