Pesticide and Pest Control - State-Owned Property - Pesticide Use Restrictions and Pollinator Habitat

HB 1342 restricts pesticide use on Maryland state-owned properties (like parks and government grounds) by requiring that only specific "listed" pesticides or registered pesticides for defined purposes (e.g., controlling invasive species, weed management, or public health threats) may be applied. It mandates state agencies managing such properties to adopt a model plan developed by the Department of Agriculture, which requires at least 20% of unencumbered land to remain untreated with cosmetic pesticides, bans pesticides toxic to pollinators unless necessary for public health, and prioritizes native plants for pollinator habitat. The bill directly affects all state agencies managing public property, requiring them to adapt the model plan to their specific sites by October 2025. This creates concrete policy changes by limiting pesticide types, protecting pollinator areas, and aligning state practices with environmental safeguards.