2026 State of the States Mid-Year Recap

The 2026 state legislative cycle saw significant activity on treated seed, neonicotinoid regulation, and agricultural data governance. While no major restrictive legislation crossed the finish line this year, the breadth of proposals across six states underscores the sustained and growing legislative interest in systemic insecticide oversight. ASTA remained actively engaged across all fronts in coordination with state and national partners.

State-by-State Outcomes

• Colorado: Two key bills ASTA was addressing did not advance. HB26-1270 (agricultural data ownership) was postponed indefinitely, leaving data governance questions unresolved. SB26-065, the SEED Act and one of the most ambitious treated seed proposals of the session, was defeated in committee with bipartisan opposition. The session adjourned May 13.
• New Hampshire: HB1086 began as a broad prohibition on neonicotinoid-treated seed for corn and soybeans but was significantly narrowed through the committee process. The bill was amended to a two-year study and carried over to the Senate, reflecting the difficulty of advancing sweeping restrictions in agricultural states. The session adjourned June 30 without further action on HB1086.
• Connecticut: HB5155, a pesticide use transparency bill that would have created a publicly accessible reporting database inclusive of treated seeds, saw no movement following its hearing. The session adjourned May 6 without further action on HB5155.
• Minnesota: SF4052, one of the most expansive treated seed bills of the session, would have required pest risk assessments and applicator training before sale or use of pesticide-coated seed. The bill saw no movement after its hearing and did not advance before the May 18 adjournment.
• Maryland: HB91 proposed one of the broadest neonicotinoid bans introduced this cycle, targeting corn, soybean, and wheat treated seed as well as outdoor ornamental and turf uses. The bill failed to advance after its hearing before the legislature adjourned April 13.
• Illinois: SB3200, which targets neonicotinoid use on ornamental plants beginning in 2027, did not move after receiving an extension earlier in the session. The bill failed to advance before the Illinois legislature adjourned on May 31.

Key Takeaways

• No major treated seed bans enacted this session. Industry engagement, bipartisan opposition, and practical implementation concerns helped defeat or stall the most consequential proposals.
• The legislative pipeline is filling. The volume and geographic spread of bills signal that neonicotinoid and treated seed legislation will return next session, likely with refinements informed by this year’s debates.
• Study provisions and carryovers bear watching. New Hampshire’s two-year study carryover means HB1086 will re-emerge. ASTA plans to engage proactively with that process.
• Transparency and data frameworks are an emerging front. Both HB26-1270 (CO) and HB5155 (CT) reflect a growing legislative interest in building data infrastructure around pesticide and treated seed use, which could serve as a precursor to future regulatory action.
• Illinois SB 3200 is still in play. Though limited to ornamentals, its progress should be tracked as a potential signal of broader neonicotinoid legislation in a key agricultural state.

ASTA staff, in collaboration with the State Working Group, will continue to monitor these legislative chambers, and other key states, in their next session for legislation that could either positively impact, or restrict, the agriculture industry.

To get involved in ASTA’s state advocacy efforts, please contact ASTA’s Jordan Gregory or Collin Cisco.