ASSEMBLY, No. 3084

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman CHRIS TULLY

District 38 (Bergen)

SYNOPSIS

     Directs DEP to conduct study to evaluate banning use of paraquat dichloride in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

An Act requiring a study to determine whether the use of paraquat dichloride should be banned in the State.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    a.  As used in this section:

     "Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number" or "CASRN" means a numeric identifier assigned to a chemical by the Chemical Abstracts Service, a division of the American Chemical Society.

     “Paraquat dichloride” means the organic compound commonly used as an herbicide and desiccant, also known as methyl viologen (CASRN 1910-42-5).

     b.  The Department of Environmental Protection shall commence and complete a comprehensive study to review and evaluate whether paraquat dichloride should be prohibited from both consumer and commercial use in the State and shall prepare and submit a written report, within two years of the effective date of this section, to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), that shall make findings and recommendations that shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

     (1)  the impact of paraquat dichloride on the environment and public health;

     (2)  policies implemented by other states to regulate the use of paraquat dichloride; and

     (3)  whether the use of paraquat dichloride should be prohibited from consumer and commercial use in the State.

     2.  This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon the submission of the written report to the Governor and Legislature pursuant to section 1 of this act.

STATEMENT

     This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to commence and complete a comprehensive study to review and evaluate whether paraquat dichloride should be prohibited from both consumer and commercial use in the State.  The bill also directs the DEP to prepare and submit a written report, within two years of the effective date of the bill, to the Governor, and to the Legislature, that makes findings and recommendations that will include, at a minimum: the impact of paraquat dichloride on the environment and public health; policies implemented by other states to regulate the use of paraquat dichloride; and whether the use of paraquat dichloride should be prohibited from consumer and commercial use in the State.

     Paraquat dichloride is a toxic chemical used as a contact herbicide and desiccant.  The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that ingestion of paraquat dichloride can be fatal and skin or eye contact can cause serious lasting injuries.  The EPA also found that there are potential risks from spraying drifts containing paraquat dichloride to bystanders as well as mammals, birds, terrestrial invertebrates, terrestrial plants, and algae.