California and Vermont Lead Nationwide Push to Ban Paraquat, a Pesticide Linked to Parkinson's Disease
核心洞察
Vermont became the first state in the nation to ban paraquat (搜索), with Governor Phil Scott signing H.739 into law on May 26, 2026, phasing out the pesticide by December 2030.
California manufacturers voluntarily canceled all paraquat (搜索) product registrations, beginning a phase-out in one of the country's largest agricultural states as of August 2026.
Bipartisan federal legislation, the Paraquat (搜索) Prevention Act, was introduced in Congress to cancel EPA registrations and ban the sale and use of paraquat nationwide.
In a watershed year for environmental health policy, Vermont made history as the first state in the nation to ban paraquat (搜索) — a highly toxic herbicide linked to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease (搜索) — while California followed with its own phase-out through voluntary manufacturer cancellations. These actions, driven by years of advocacy from the Parkinson's community, mark a turning point in the effort to reduce preventable exposure to a pesticide that numerous scientific studies have associated with Parkinson's disease risk.
On May 26, 2026, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed H.739 into law, ending the sale and use of paraquat (搜索) in late 2026, with a phased transition for certain crops until a full statewide ban takes effect in December 2030. The legislation reflects a focused effort by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (搜索)'s (MJFF) Public Policy team, working alongside Vermont legislators, partner organizations, and advocates.
"Vermont has become a national leader in protecting public health and reducing preventable Parkinson's risk," MJFF stated, noting that the effort builds on more than a decade of advocacy for a federal paraquat (搜索) ban.
California's Market-Driven Phase-Out
On August 10, 2026, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation announced that all manufacturers of pesticide products containing paraquat (搜索)-dichloride had voluntarily canceled their product registrations in the state, initiating a phase-out of paraquat use. The action followed a reevaluation process that began in 2024, which required manufacturers to submit additional scientific data. Rather than provide the required information, companies began canceling product registrations earlier in the year, with the final cancellation occurring on August 6.
The American Parkinson Disease Association (搜索) (APDA) emphasized the significance: "California is one of the country's largest agricultural states, and its decision sends a powerful signal that ending paraquat (搜索) use is both possible and necessary."
Federal and Multi-State Momentum
The state-level progress has been complemented by federal action. In June 2026, U.S. Representatives Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Chellie Pingree of Maine introduced the bipartisan Paraquat (搜索) Prevention Act. The bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (搜索) (EPA) to cancel existing paraquat registrations, eliminate acceptable thresholds that allow paraquat residue in food, and ban the sale and use of existing stocks upon enactment.
APDA also joined partners from MJFF and the Parkinson's Foundation for a meeting with officials at the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention to urge the agency to ban paraquat (搜索). Shortly after the meeting, the EPA announced it would hold a public stakeholder meeting on paraquat before the end of summer 2026.
In 2026, MJFF worked on paraquat (搜索) legislation in states across the country, including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Bills were introduced in 14 states this year, demonstrating growing concern about paraquat use.
Broader Research Investments
Beyond paraquat (搜索), 2026 saw significant state-level investments in Parkinson's research. California lawmakers advanced Senate Bill 895, which would establish the California Foundation for Science and Health Research and allocate $12 billion to fund work across many fields, including Parkinson's research. The bill passed the State Senate on May 27, 2026, and is under consideration in the Assembly. Michael J. Fox authored a Los Angeles Times op-ed supporting the legislation, writing, "The science is ready. How fast it can go is up to us."
New York's annual budget, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on May 28, 2026, included $65 million for the Governor's Bolstering Biotech Initiative, designed to strengthen the state's life sciences sector with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases. The initiative reflects recommendations from New York's Emerging Technology Advisory Board, co-chaired by MJFF co-founder and CEO Debi Brooks and Andrew Baum of Pfizer.
Florida built on its 2025 investment, with the State Legislature approving an additional $6 million for a Parkinson's research consortium at the University of South Florida, following an initial $8 million investment in 2025.
The Road Ahead
While not every bill became law, the 2026 legislative sessions raised awareness, strengthened coalitions, and laid groundwork for future action. Several states are expected to continue pursuing these priorities during the 2027 legislative sessions. As APDA noted, "The momentum from California, Vermont, Congress, and EPA engagement shows what is possible when science and advocacy work together."