Vermont Senate approves ban on neonicotinoid pesticides after extended debate, 25–2

The Vermont Senate on April 26 voted 25–2 to pass H706, a bill banning the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, after extensive floor debate over the law’s effective date and possible effects on farmers.

Supporters, including senators pressing for faster action on pollinator health, described mounting scientific and public-health concerns about neonicotinoids and urged a sooner start date. “We know that our pollinators are in crisis, and so I have a sense of urgency around moving the date, sooner rather than later,” a senator supporting the amendment said during debate.

Opponents—including the Agriculture Committee’s sponsor—argued the bill required transition time for seed suppliers and farmers, noting differences in Vermont’s climate and seed needs compared with neighboring jurisdictions. The chair of agriculture said the committee had put a delayed effective date into the bill to give farmers time to adapt and to reduce disruption to planting and seed procurement.

The Senate considered and adopted an amendment that adjusted the bill’s start date (the amendment was adopted after a division vote). After further floor exchanges about evidence from Quebec and Ontario, and about bee-colony survey data presented by senators, the Senate passed H706 on a roll call, 25 yeas to 2 nays.

The bill now moves on according to the legislative process for enactment and any necessary implementation steps. The Senate debate included requests for follow-up data from state agencies and continued invitations for stakeholders to report on implementation challenges.

Vote and next steps: H706 passed by roll call, 25–2; the chamber recorded the roll call and directed any statutory transmittals and further administrative steps as required.