SF3772

Specific chemical compound found in tear gas sale and usage prohibition provision
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)

Related bill: HF3745

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

The bill creates a statewide ban on orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile, a chemical used in tear gas, and prohibits its sale, purchase, use, or manufacture in Minnesota. It also requires the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to provide guidance on disposing of any existing supplies of this chemical or products containing it.

Main Provisions

Prohibition: Notwithstanding existing statutes, a person may not offer for sale, sell, purchase, use, or manufacture orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile or any product containing it in Minnesota.
Agency duty: The MPCA must provide guidance on the proper disposal of any existing orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile or products containing it possessed by individuals or entities in the state.
Definitions: Orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile is defined as the chemical with the Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 2698411.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces a new statewide ban on a tear gas component (orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile) and products that contain it.
Overrides or complements existing provisions related to this chemical by creating a new prohibition (via the “Notwithstanding” clause).
Establishes an official disposal guidance obligation for the MPCA, adding an environmental/safety management requirement for any current stock or products containing the chemical.

Definitions

orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile: chemical with CAS Registry Number 2698411.

Agency Role and Enforcement

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is tasked with providing disposal guidance for existing supplies or products containing orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile.

Effective Date

The text provided does not specify an effective date.

Relevant Terms - orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile - CAS Registry Number 2698411 - tear gas - sale - purchase - use - manufacture - disposal guidance - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) - nothwithstanding - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.731

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 23, 2026	Senate		Action	Introduction and first reading
February 23, 2026	Senate		Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Adds a prohibition on orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile in Minnesota."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 624.731, subdivision 1, to prohibit offering for sale, purchase, use, or manufacture of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS tear gas) or any product containing this chemical within Minnesota.",
      "modified": [
        "Notes a Notwithstanding clause referencing subdivision 6 to ensure the new prohibition applies in a manner consistent with existing law."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "624.731",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Uses Notwithstanding to assert an unconditional prohibition that overrules potential exceptions in subdivision 6."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes 624.731, subdivision 6, via a Notwithstanding clause to reinforce an unconditional prohibition on orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile, stating that a person may not offer for sale, purchase, use, or manufacture the chemical in this state.",
      "modified": [
        "The Notwithstanding clause modifies the relationship between the new section and subdivision 6 to ensure the prohibition is unconditional."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "624.731",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%

In Committee