**DRAFT – THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED**
Special Meeting
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 12-2pm
Attendees: Dustyn Nelson (CNLA), Victoria Wallace (UConn), Chris Valley (Prides Corner Farm), Bryan Connolly (IPANE), Alice Colman (CT DoAg), Jatinder Aulakh (CAES)
Absent: Bill Moorhead (CT DEEP), Denise Savageau (non-profit environment association), Constance Trolle (Bantam Lake Association)
Non-voting members: Lauren Kurtz (UConn), Angelique Lopez (CT DoAg), Ian Campbell
Call to order
Chair Dustyn Nelson called the meeting to order at 12pm and certified a quorum. The emergency IPC meeting was called in response to a request from the Connecticut General Assembly Environment Committee to provide input and guidance related to House Bill 5521 – An Act Concerning Sterile Cultivars.
Approval of Minutes
October 28th 2025. C. Valley made a motion to approve, V. Wallace seconded the motion.
Updates from Council members
Due to meeting being an emergency IPC meeting and not a regularly scheduled meeting, council updates were not presented.
Old Business
The meeting focused on developing guidance for sterile cultivars of certain invasive plants in response to House Bill 5521, which would exempt sterile cultivars of certain invasive plants from the prohibition from sale. The group discussed drafted language developed from the exemption criteria used in New York and Pennsylvania and modified for submitting to the Environment Committee as suggested criteria for sterile cultivar exemption.
See the below suggested criteria modified by the council.
The council voted unanimously to accept the proposed language as amended. The amended proposal will be forwarded to the CGA Environment Committee for consideration related to HB 5521.
New Business
Alice Colman announced that Angelique Lopez has joined the CT Department of Agriculture and will be taking her place on the council.
Announcements
Next Meeting Thursday, June 18th 2026 2-4 pm
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:51 pm.
Suggested Criteria for Sterile Cultivar Exemption – Proposal
Insert Sec. 22a-381d
The provisions of subsection (a) to (c), inclusive, of this section should not apply to those who import, move, sell, purchase, transport, transplant, cultivate, distribute, or introduce a plant cultivar whose parent species is a prohibited invasive species for which the department determines:
(i) the primary means of reproduction of the cultivar’s parent species is sexual, not vegetative; and
(ii) that the cultivar and its offspring do not revert to express the invasive characteristics of the parent species:
(a) the cultivar has ≥98% reduction in relative female fertility* compared to parent species or has no reproductive parts; and
(b) there is appropriate documentation providing data relating to the cultivars sterility**.
(iii) the Invasive Plants Council will publish a list of cultivars meeting the criteria of this subparagraph definition. Only cultivars listed pursuant to this section are eligible for this exemption. An online form will be available to request review of additional cultivars for sterile cultivar exemption eligibility.
(iv) exemptions are conditional and may be revoked.
(v) if the species is listed on the Federal Noxious Weed list and unless cultivars of that plant are exempt, they cannot be approved for this exemption.
(vi) sterile cultivars approved for the exemption must be identified in at least 14 point font with the warning: “Sterile Cultivar”. The identification can be on branded pots, plant tags, strip tag/label, or other means accepted in the application for exemption.
Acceptable References
- Appropriate references include books, peer reviewed journal articles, and reputable websites (scientifically based websites such as university associated sites). Appropriate individuals include curators or directors of botanic gardens, plant breeders with experience with the plant, and university or extension specialists. For testimonials, please obtain a written reference that includes the individual’s name, a description of their experience, and information regarding the area of the country (hardiness zone, climate, etc.) in which they are familiar with the cultivar in question. Documentation should relate to USDA cold hardiness zones found in Connecticut.
*Relative fertility refers to the percent fertility compared to a fertile standard.
**To accurately document seed production, sterile plants must be planted alongside appropriate fertile controls in a replicated planting and at the appropriate maturity to document seed production on mature plants.
To request the evaluation of cultivars for exemption to the Connecticut State Invasive Plant Laws (Sec. 22a-381) please fill out the following application completely and accurately. Please attach additional document as needed or requested. Once your application is received it will be reviewed by [Invasive Plants Council or Other State Department/Agency]. The applicant will be notified by email and postal letter on whether the submitted cultivar was accepted for exemption.
The “owner” of the variety name, such as the breeder, patent holder, or brand owner, should apply for the exemption. Individual CT plant merchants, such as nurseries and greenhouses, should not apply for the cultivar exemption.