WC Wisconsin News

The new bill, authored by State Sen. Brad Pfaff, seeks to regulate neonicotinoid insecticides on Department of Natural Resources land to reduce environmental impact, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill prohibits the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Wisconsin from using insecticides from the neonicotinoid class on DNR-acquired and maintained land, with specific exceptions. The exceptions to this ban include the use of these insecticides under existing cooperative farming agreements or contracts signed before the bill's effective date and for forest insect control, state forest nurseries, seed orchards, or within designated zones of infestation. The enactment aims to regulate the use of neonicotinoid insecticides to potentially mitigate their environmental impact, particularly on non-target species.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Lee Snodgrass (Democrat-52nd District), Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), and Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), along 32 other co-sponsors.

Brad Pfaff has authored or co-authored another 48 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Ptaff graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay in 1960 with a BA.

Ptaff, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2021 to represent the state's 32nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jennifer Shilling.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB298	05/30/2025	Ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources
SB297	05/30/2025	Special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB293	05/30/2025	Native prairie and forage plants
SB285	05/30/2025	Talent recruitment grants. (FE)
SB260	05/20/2025	Certification of surgical technologists
SB255	05/09/2025	Regulation of the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company
SB248	05/09/2025	License eligibility and restriction extensions relating to ignition interlock devices
SB215	04/16/2025	Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)
SB208	04/16/2025	Prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE)
SB148	03/21/2025	The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB50	02/21/2025	Health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)