California PFAS Pesticide Bill Won't Move Forward This Year

A California bill that would have phased out pesticides containing PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," will not move forward this year after the state Senate failed to advance the measure before the Legislature's July 31 deadline.

According to reporting from Chemical & Engineering News, Assembly Bill 1603 would have prohibited the registration of new pesticides containing intentionally added PFAS beginning in 2027, while creating a longer-term phaseout of those products and adding new labeling and reporting requirements.

Supporters said the bill would reduce the use of persistent PFAS compounds in agriculture and the environment. Some agricultural organizations and pesticide manufacturers expressed concerns that the proposal could limit crop protection tools before practical alternatives are available.

California's Department of Pesticide Regulation says it already conducts extensive scientific reviews before registering pesticides, evaluating potential risks to both human health and the environment.

While AB 1603 will not move forward this year, the broader conversation surrounding PFAS in pesticide products is expected to continue in future legislative sessions.

For more, visit https://cen.acs.org/policy/legislation-/pfas-pesticide-california-agriculture/104/web/2026/08