Milwaukee North News

A new bill authored by State Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to regulate neonicotinoid insecticide use on state-owned lands to address environmental concerns, 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.

Jodi Habush Sinykin has authored or co-authored another 45 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Sinykin graduated from the University of Michigan in 1989 and again in 1992 from Harvard Law School with a JD.

Sinykin, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2025 to represent the state's 8th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dan Knodl.

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)
SB294	05/30/2025	Labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators. (FE)
SB292	05/30/2025	Local regulation of pesticides to protect pollinators
SB232	04/29/2025	Grants to child advocacy centers. (FE)
SB212	04/16/2025	The form of referendum questions
SB175	04/03/2025	Local building permit fees for certain improvements of residences of disabled veterans. (FE)
SB150	03/21/2025	Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions
SB122	03/07/2025	Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE)