Is a lawn care pesticide ban in New Hampshire's future?

Will little New Hampshire become the crack in the dike that anti-pesticide activist groups are seeking in their efforts to curtail chemical lawn care in the United States?

Remember, it was the tiny city of Hudson in Quebec Province and favorable court rulings in the 1990s that started the avalanche of bans on lawn care pesticides in Canada that eventually led to entire provinces (Ontario being the most populous) banning them for what is termed “cosmetic” reasons.

Recently New Hampshire Rep. Suzanne Smith offered a bill (HB 1456) that would establish a committee to explore the consequences of a ban in that state. Anti-pesticide proponents and industry groups are keenly aware of the significance of this bill that, should it pass, would require a three-person committee to determine whether or not to pursue a ban. — Ron Hall

Here is HB 1456 as introduced:

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the use of pesticides, herbicides, and their alternatives in residential neighborhoods, school properties, playgrounds, and other places children congregate.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the use of pesticides, herbicides, and their alternatives in residential neighborhoods, school properties, playgrounds, and other places children congregate.

2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Study the use of pesticides, herbicides, and their alternatives in residential neighborhoods, school properties, playgrounds, and other places children congregate.

II. Study the effects of a moratorium on the use of such pesticides and herbicides.

III. Determine what areas and properties would be exempt from such a ban.

IV. Study any other issue related to a moratorium on the use of such pesticides and herbicides.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2010.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.