Rodenticides

AN ACT Relating to rodenticides; adding new sections to chapter 1
15.58 RCW; creating a new section; and providing expiration dates.2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that anticoagulant 4
rodenticides, and rodenticides containing bromethalin as an active 5
ingredient, may have negative impacts on human and wildlife health, 6
and that alternatives exist that are both safer and effective in 7
rodent control. Further, the legislature recognizes Washington's 8
commitment to using integrated pest management principles to 9
strategically address pest issues in an environmentally and 10
economically sound manner to provide alternatives for the use of 11
rodenticides. The legislature, therefore, intends to place a 12
moratorium on the use of anticoagulant rodenticides and rodenticides 13
containing bromethalin as an active ingredient and direct a study of 14
known impacts related to their use in Washington, potential impacts 15
that are not well understood, and areas where more research is 16
needed. 17
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 15.58 18
RCW to read as follows: 19
H-2938.1
HOUSE BILL 2516
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Parshley, Scott, Ormsby, Hill, Ramel, and Reed
Read first time 01/15/26. Referred to Committee on Agriculture &
Natural Resources.
p. 1 HB 2516
(1) By December 31, 2026, the department shall provide a report 1
to the appropriate committees of the legislature that identifies all 2
anticoagulant rodenticides and all rodenticides containing 3
bromethalin that are registered pursuant to this chapter.4
(2) Beginning January 1, 2027, and ending on December 31, 2028, a 5
person may not use any anticoagulant rodenticides, or rodenticides 6
that contain bromethalin as an active ingredient. The director may 7
establish a process and standards for time-limited emergency use of 8
anticoagulant rodenticides, or rodenticides containing bromethalin as 9
an active ingredient, by a qualified third-party agent to protect 10
drinking water supply, control vectors for mosquito-borne illness, 11
and for emergent infectious disease control. 12
(3) This section expires June 30, 2029. 13
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 15.58 14
RCW to read as follows: 15
(1) The Washington state academy of sciences shall conduct a 16
study on the use and safety of rodenticides. At a minimum, the study 17
must include: 18
(a) An analysis of Washington-specific areas of study that may be 19
relevant to considering use restrictions, including potential impacts 20
to Washington wildlife; 21
(b) An analysis of gaps in existing research on rodenticide use;22
(c) An analysis of the viability of contraceptives and other 23
emerging nontoxic rodent control methods used either alongside 24
chemical rodenticides or with a long-term goal of replacing chemical 25
rodent control; and 26
(d) Recommendations for further research. 27
(2) By December 31, 2028, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, 28
the Washington state academy of sciences shall submit the study to 29
the appropriate committees of the legislature. 30
(3) This section expires June 30, 2029. 31
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p. 2 HB 2516