HB 6289 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE USE OF DRONES TO ANALYZE, TREAT AND APPLY FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES TO CROPS.

HB 6289 amends Connecticut law to authorize licensed pesticide applicators with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) drone licenses to use precision drones for analyzing, treating, and applying fertilizers and pesticides to crops. The bill requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to update regulations by March 1, 2026, to include drone operations under existing aircraft applicator certification rules. It directly affects commercial and private pesticide applicators who hold both FAA drone operator licenses and pesticide applicator credentials. The law does not change current restrictions on pesticide application near residential areas or alter existing certification fees for traditional aircraft spraying.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Apr 1, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to expand drone technology authorization from just pesticide application to include seed planting, and changed permit fees from a fixed $50 to a commissioner-determined fee with a $20 minimum. The bill title was updated to reflect it as a 'Substitute Bill' with a 'Joint Favorable Substitute' status, and the page count was reduced from 4 to 3 pages.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include precision drones for seed planting in addition to pesticide and fertilizer application.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded drone technology authorization to include seed planting in addition to analyzing, treating, and applying pesticides and fertilizers.

REQUIREMENT

Changed permit fees from a fixed $50 to a fee established by commissioner regulations with a minimum of $20.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill title from 'Committee Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' and changed status to 'Joint Favorable Substitute'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 24, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors