1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; establishing a new program for systemic pesticide-treated 
1.3 	seed; establishing a new account in the agricultural fund; appropriating money;
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 21.81, by adding a subdivision; 21.85, 
1.5 	by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.6 	chapter 21.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 21.81, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.9 	to read:
1.10 		Subd. 35.Systemic pesticide. "Systemic pesticide" means a pesticide designed to be 
1.11 	absorbed by plants and translocated throughout plant tissue. Systemic pesticides include:
1.12 	(1) acetamiprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, 
1.13 	thiacloprid, fipronil, flupyradifurone, sulfoxaflor, cyantraniliprole, or chlorantraniliprole; 
1.14 	and
1.15 	(2) any other pesticide determined by the commissioner to be a systemic pesticide, 
1.16 	including any chemical belonging to the neonicotinoid or anthranilic diamide class.

1.17 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 21.85, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
1.18 	read:
1.19 		Subd. 16.Systemic pesticide-treated seed program. By January 1, 2026, the 
1.20 	commissioner must develop a program for the regulation of systemic pesticide-treated seed, 
1.21 	and do the following:
2.1 	(1) account for the total quantity of systemic pesticide-treated seed purchased and used 
2.2 	in the state, as well as the total acreage and location where systemic pesticide-treated seed 
2.3 	is applied each year;
2.4 	(2) ensure that all treated seed used in the state is subject to any regulatory restrictions 
2.5 	necessary to protect human health and the environment, including but not limited to 
2.6 	pollinating insects, birds, and aquatic ecosystems from exposure to systemic insecticides;
2.7 	(3) require formal verification of need prior to the use of systemic pesticide-treated seed 
2.8 	except where systemic pesticide-treated seed is the only commercially available option. At 
2.9 	a minimum, the commissioner must require written certification from a trained and approved 
2.10 	individual for each use of systemic pesticide-treated field crop seed, verifying that, for the 
2.11 	time and location, the use would be effective in addressing a demonstrable pest problem;
2.12 	(4) study the use, efficacy, and environmental and health impacts of systemic 
2.13 	pesticide-treated seed use in the state;
2.14 	(5) develop and disseminate educational materials and best management practices for 
2.15 	the use of systemic pesticide-treated seed; and
2.16 	(6) collaborate with the University of Minnesota in developing and implementing the 
2.17 	systemic pesticide-treated seed program. This collaboration may include the evaluation of 
2.18 	national and international research on treated seed for its applicability to Minnesota-specific 
2.19 	conditions to ensure a sound understanding of efficacy of seed treatment rates, scouting 
2.20 	techniques, pest pressures, economic thresholds, and planting technology differences.

2.21 	Sec. 3. [21.93] SYSTEMIC PESTICIDE-TREATED SEED ALTERNATIVES 
2.22 	ACCOUNT.
2.23 	The systemic pesticide-treated seed alternatives account is established in the agricultural 
2.24 	fund. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the University of Minnesota 
2.25 	for research and outreach regarding nonchemical pest prevention methods that may serve 
2.26 	as an alternative to the use of systemic pesticide-treated seed. This money may be used to 
2.27 	award competitive grants.

2.28 	Sec. 4. APPROPRIATION; SYSTEMIC PESTICIDE-TREATED SEED PROGRAM.
 2.29 	$....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of 
2.30 	agriculture to implement the systemic pesticide-treated seed program. This is a onetime 
2.31 	appropriation.

3.1 	Sec. 5. APPROPRIATION; SYSTEMIC PESTICIDE-TREATED SEED 
3.2 	ALTERNATIVES ACCOUNT.
 3.3 	$....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the systemic 
3.4 	pesticide-treated seed alternatives account.