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SF4277 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Definition of currently avoidable use modification in the pesticide control chapter

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • Update Minnesota law to address the use of PFAS in pesticides by changing how certain uses are defined and allowed. The change focuses on allowing uses that are essential and for which no reasonable alternatives exist.

Main Provisions

  • Replaces the term currently used in pesticide control with a new term: Currently unavoidable use.
  • Defines Currently unavoidable use as a use of PFAS that is essential for the health, safety, or functioning of society, and for which alternatives are not reasonably available.
  • States that such uses may consider the need to prevent or minimize pest resistance and the potential health and environmental impacts of alternative products.

What is Changing in the Law

  • The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 18B.01 subdivision 6c to introduce and define Currently unavoidable use.
  • It broadens when PFAS-containing products may be considered permissible by recognizing essential uses where no practical substitutes exist.

Definitions Highlight

  • PFAS: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
  • Currently unavoidable use: A PFAS use that is essential for societal functioning and health/safety, with no reasonably available alternatives.
  • Alternatives not reasonably available: There are no viable substitutes for the PFAS-containing product in the given use.

Implications and Practical Impact

  • Allows certain PFAS-containing pesticide uses that are deemed essential when safer or effective alternatives are not available.
  • Introduces a consideration framework that weighs pest resistance risks and the potential health and environmental impacts of alternatives when determining whether a use is “currently unavoidable.”
  • Affects how pesticide regulation may approve or regulate PFAS-containing products in agricultural settings.

Potential Concerns or Considerations

  • Balancing public health and environmental protection with agricultural needs.
  • Ensuring clear criteria and oversight for determining what qualifies as “essential” and that alternatives truly are not reasonably available.
  • Monitoring potential long-term effects of PFAS use in agriculture and the effectiveness of management strategies to minimize resistance and harm.

Related Context

  • The change is within the pesticide control framework and aligns with broader discussions about PFAS in consumer and environmental health.

Relevant Terms - PFAS - currently unavoidable use - currently unavoidable use definition - pesticide control - Minnesota Statutes 2024 - 18B.01 subdivision 6c - essential for health safety functioning of society - alternatives not reasonably available - pest resistance - animal health - human health - environmental impacts - alternative products

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 09, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
March 09, 2026SenateActionReferred toAgriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 18B.01 subdivision 6c to redefine 'Currently unavoidable use' for PFAS in the pesticide control chapter.",
      "modified": [
        "Defines 'Currently unavoidable use' as a use of PFAS essential for the health, safety, or functioning of society with no reasonably available alternatives; may include consideration of pest resistance and health and environmental impacts of alternative products."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "18B.01",
    "subdivision": "6c"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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