An Act To Protect Children from Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0519
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: GRAMLICH, MAXMIN, DOUDERA, DUNPHY, GROHOSKI, LOOKNER, O'NEIL, OSHER, PLUECKER, DAUGHTRY
Amends: 7 MRSA §606

Legislative Document
No. 519
H.P. 382
House of Representatives, February 19, 2021
An Act To Protect Children from Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 17, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed 
pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach.
Cosponsored by Senator MAXMIN of Lincoln and
Representatives: DOUDERA of Camden, DUNPHY of Old Town, GROHOSKI of Ellsworth, 
LOOKNER of Portland, O'NEIL of Saco, OSHER of Orono, PLUECKER of Warren, Senator: 
DAUGHTRY of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §606, sub-§3 is enacted to read:
3.  Unlawful use.  A person may not apply herbicides as defined by Title 22, section 
1471-C, subsection 13 that are synthetic, including, but not limited to, glyphosate, within 
feet of school grounds.  This subsection does not apply to residential property or land 
used for commercial farming.
For purposes of this subsection, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings:
A.  "Commercial farming" has the same meaning as in section 52, subsection 3;
B.  "Residential property" means real property located in this State that is used for 
residential dwelling purposes;
C.  "School" means any public, private or tribally funded elementary school as defined 
in Title 20-A, section 1, subsection 10, secondary school as defined in Title 20-A, 
section 1, subsection 32 or a nursery school that is part of an elementary or secondary 
school; and
D.  "School grounds" means:
(1)  Land associated with a school building including playgrounds and athletic 
fields used by students or staff of a school. "School grounds" does not include land 
used for a school farm; and
(2)  Any other outdoor area used by students or staff including property owned by 
a municipality or a private entity that is regularly used for school activities by 
students and staff but not including land used primarily for nonschool activities, 
such as golf courses, farms and museums.
Sec. 2.  Environmental risk advisory committee; glyphosate.  The Department 
of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Board of Pesticides Control, within existing 
resources from Other Special Revenue Funds accounts, shall establish an environmental 
risk advisory committee to evaluate the environmental and human health risks associated 
with the use of glyphosate.  The advisory committee shall submit an interim report no later 
than February 1, 2024 and a final report no later than February 1, 2025, with findings and 
recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters.  Each report must include an 
analysis of the use, on an annual basis, of all products with glyphosate listed as an active 
ingredient on the label by licensed applicators in the State.  Following receipt and review 
of the final report, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
agricultural matters may submit a bill concerning the subject matter of the report to the 
SUMMARY
This bill bans the use of synthetic herbicides, including, but not limited to, glyphosate, 
within 75 feet of school grounds.  The prohibition does not apply to agricultural land or 
residential property.
The bill also directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Board 
of Pesticides Control to establish an environmental risk advisory committee to assess the 
environmental and human health risks associated with the use of glyphosate.  The advisory 
committee is required to submit an interim report no later than February 1, 2024 and a final 
report no later than February 1, 2025 with findings and recommendations to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters.  The 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters 
has the authority to submit a bill relating to the subject matter of the report during the First 
Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.