A new law will require government entities to notify residents when spraying pesticides near their homes, due to legislation filed by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) that was recently signed into law.

Senate Bill 3342, filed by McClure, requires that government applicators, or applicators who the government contracts, provide public notice before pesticides are applied on a public right-of-way inside the borders of a municipality. The public notice would also include contact info for the applicators. The new law does not apply to farmers, private individuals spraying their own property (including businesses), or applicators working on private property.

The new law came from a constituent of Senator McClure’s who witnessed pesticides being sprayed in his neighborhood. According to the constituent, he saw overspray from the application hitting children playing, swimming pools, and the exterior of homes. He was particularly concerned when he was unable to find out what it was that was being sprayed.

SB2832 was signed into law on August 9th.