AB 1603: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Existing law generally regulates the use of pesticides, and requires every manufacturer of, importer of, or dealer in any pesticide, except as specified, to obtain a certificate of registration from the Department of Pesticide Regulation before the pesticide is offered for sale. Existing law requires the Director of Pesticide Regulation to endeavor to eliminate from use in the state any pesticide that endangers the agricultural or nonagricultural environment, is not beneficial for the purposes for which it is sold, or is misrepresented. a pesticide use report to be submitted to a county agricultural commissioner or the Director of Pesticide Regulation, as provided.

This bill would prohibit the department from registering a pesticide that has not been previously registered by the department and contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pesticide ingredients, defined as PFAS that are intentionally added as active, adjuvant, or inert ingredients, unless an application for registration of that pesticide was submitted to the department before January 1, 2027. The bill would require the department to indicate if a pesticide contains PFAS perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pesticide ingredients ingredients, as defined, in the pesticide use reporting database on its internet website, include PFAS as a category of interest for purposes of that database, and include pesticide use trends of PFAS pesticide ingredients from the pesticide database in the pesticide use annual report and other relevant pesticide use reporting documents. The bill would also require the department to publish a list of all registered pesticides that contain PFAS pesticide ingredients, as specified.