AB 1603 - Broadly Restrict PFAS in Pesticides
Published Friday, April 10, 2026
Assembly Bill 1603, authored by Nick Schultz, D-Burbank, would establish a sweeping restriction on pesticides containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, significantly impacting agricultural, commercial and residential pest management across California. The bill prohibits the California Department of Pesticide Regulation from registering new pesticides with intentionally added PFAS and phases in additional restrictions on existing products.
California maintains a regulatory definition that says any fluorinated organic chemical containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom is PFAS, which would apply this prohibition to thousands of products. In the interim, all these products would become restricted-use materials. A subset will be banned in 2030, and public notice must be included in SprayDays, a statewide online notification system that provides 24-48 hour advance warnings of planned “restricted material” pesticide applications on farms. The bill would also require new label language on affected products. By 2030, a list of specified active ingredients would be prohibited, with a full ban on all pesticides containing intentionally added PFAS—including inert ingredients—taking effect in 2035.
These products are used across a wide range of applications, including specialty crop production, structural pest control and public health programs. California Farm Bureau, in partnership with a coalition of agricultural and commercial stakeholders, opposes AB 1603 due to concerns that the bill departs from California’s existing science-based regulatory framework. DPR conducts extensive evaluation of pesticide safety, including human health, environmental fate and exposure risk, and continues to monitor products after registration.
Stakeholders have also raised concerns regarding the availability of alternatives, implementation timelines and potential conflicts with federal pesticide labeling requirements. As currently drafted, the bill may lead to significant operational and economic impacts to DPR.
The bill is expected to be heard in Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on April 14. Farm Bureau will continue engaging with the Legislature and stakeholders as the bill moves through the legislative process.
Staff contact: Isabella Quinonez, iquinonez@cfbf.com.
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