An important pesticides bill passes the State Senate and now moves to the House. Here’s what you need to know

The number of American Robins could easily decline if neonics use isn’t reduced. Photoe by Kelly Siranko.

May 23, 2025 — Here’s the latest on the State Senate bill, SB 9, which includes a provision to limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides:

The bill has passed the State Senate by a vote of 28–8 — a significant step forward, though not a complete victory. It now heads to the House. If passed there, it will move on to the Governor’s desk for final approval.

What the bill does:

• Bans neonicotinoids (neonics) on lawns and golf courses, covering roughly 300,000 acres of turf grass in Connecticut. This is a big win for birds, butterflies, and pollinators.
• Blocks a proposal to allow pesticides on school grounds — a dangerous idea that never even made it into draft form.

The bill also includes many important climate change provisions. And it restricts the use of so-called second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, which are killing hawks and other birds of prey.

Where the bill falls short:

• It still allows landscapers to use neonics on trees and shrubs next to lawns. Unfortunately, these are precisely the places where birds and pollinators seek food and shelter — in the leaves, flowers, and berries. Exposure here can still be deadly.

Why it matters:
Neonics are 7,000 times more toxic than DDT and are contributing to sharp declines in bird and pollinator populations. These chemicals don’t stay put; they move through the environment, affecting wildlife across entire ecosystems.

How we got here:
The voices of Connecticut Audubon members played a crucial role in moving this bill through the Senate. Your calls and emails made a difference — thank you!

Thanks also to Connecticut Pesticide Reform and its members for their tireless work. We’re proud to work with you in this effort to protect the state’s wildlife.

What happens next — and how you can help:
There’s still more to do. SB 9 now heads to the House. Your voice might be needed again as the vote approaches. We will call on you again when that happens. 

And remember — no one is required to use neonics. We hope you’ll join us in discouraging their use altogether.

Click here to go to a SB 9 resource webpage.

It contains a summary of SB 9; links to the Senate vote and to the complete the text of the bill; links to the 2024 Connecticut State of the Birds report and to a summary of the report; and more.