[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6638850,"mediaKeyId","2567934-b264888d39264f6cddee2a6c3d1613bb","parentId",2567934,"title","Committee approves SB 144 to clarify pesticide labeling liability; supporters and public-health critics spar in hearing","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2631000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2567934-b264888d39264f6cddee2a6c3d1613bb&start=2631&end=2631","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2567934-b264888d39264f6cddee2a6c3d1613bb/thumbnail_2631000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6638850/Georgia/Committee-approves-SB-144-to-clarify-pesticide-labeling-liability-supporters-and-public-health-critics-spar-in-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638850-516ee3ad16ee41eedf95c4e344325606/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226740&Signature=WnqZFckadkKa-V88yU3c4LIMuZ4-l5v4JvIVSCyAIzlm5CgFGwxsjSk6HySE4JEEOxbLxSP51kZ0TTD9IZfjxcgkTTj4vguPAiThKzH8BqSqW6BIP4Q--1XpK6eV5To7-zO1dKMGICj-Ij4NJwkalgGK3bTpzz3bdpm3X6PYRU~JqDMTUfAbKEBNKt7ggCXLoOtuspIPLinO7CVjtQWPIzLvcOpOu-YYg~8fVqYluDNtGHUMd44CBMgZeBteO-4kCkk-6wXR9GO9tUShbSbYYRXkk08GZTMTSXn0LwhAW1pIaZ-HvovvVEJ8HZs9sAICMtGVj8~TOApNLjNNHljWcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-03-12T13:25:37.017Z","article","The House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs voted to approve Senate Bill 144 after a lengthy hearing that featured testimony from farmers, agribusiness organizations and public-health advocates.

Sponsor Sen. Watson told the committee the bill \"clarifies that the manufacturer cannot be held liable for failing to warn consumers of health risk above those required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.\" He described the federal label-review process as rigorous, saying it can take roughly 10\u0000to\u000015 years and substantial resources for a manufacturer to obtain label approval.

Supporters at the hearing, including the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Urban Ag Council, said the bill preserves access to EPA-registered crop-protection tools farmers use to manage pests and weeds. Will Bentley of the Agribusiness Council said the bill \"does not change anything that would already be illegal\" and that drift and other illegal uses that cause harm would remain actionable.

Opponents including a pharmacist, beekeepers and public-health advocates warned the bill could make it harder for consumers and workers to seek remedies if later research finds harms. Laurie Altman, a pharmacist testifying against the bill, said the measure \"gives them immunity if they misbrand, misrepresent, mislabel, and produce products that are toxic,\" and urged caution. Several witnesses cited glyphosate and other products as examples of controversy and asked the committee to preserve liability paths.

Committee members asked detailed legal and practical questions. Representative Carter pressed whether the bill would strip liability when a product is harmful; sponsor Watson and other Republican members said the bill does not protect manufacturers who knowingly conceal or misrepresent risks and that federal law (FIFRA) and other common-law claims remain available.

Representative Tyler Paul Smith moved that the committee report the bill favorably; a second was heard and the committee approved the measure (voice vote with one member recorded in opposition). The sponsor said the language will remain available as the bill advances and that federal preemption and the EPA\u0000s regulatory role guided the drafting.

The hearing included several technical claims: witnesses and the sponsor cited the EPA\u0000s intensive label-review process (presenter said roughly 13 years, 500 scientists and about $13 million of research were involved in some registration processes) and testimony from a university specialist that hand-weeding certain vegetable crops could raise production costs by roughly $4,000 per acre if crop-protection chemicals were not available. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep U.S. manufacturers competitive and to avoid manufacturers withdrawing products from the market due to litigation risk; opponents said it could reduce remedies for harmed consumers and workers.

The committee vote forwards SB 144; the bill will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agriculture & Consumer Affairs 03.12.25","oneSentenceSummary","SB 144, which the committee voted to approve, would clarify that manufacturers need not be held liable for failing to warn of risks that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not required on a product label; the bill drew support from agribusiness groups and opposition from public-health and consumer advocates.","taxTitle","Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",16936,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6638854,"Senate Bill 201 aims to let homeowners cancel contracts after governor-declared disasters; committee members ask for narrower definitions",1537,1227000,2764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2567934-b264888d39264f6cddee2a6c3d1613bb&start=1227&end=2764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2567934-b264888d39264f6cddee2a6c3d1613bb/thumbnail_1227000.jpg","/articles/6638854/Georgia/Senate-Bill-201-aims-to-let-homeowners-cancel-contracts-after-governor-declared-disasters-committee-members-ask-for-narrower-definitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638854-c0fa3ec9b36e7c56fe1bed79d3778484/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226740&Signature=Fx7S7sU1QUaeW7F89VbEz60fFnh56iTSZo7Z3sCuJ5ANnnAANGUi1B6FmsRJp2pouOpVRoprPpQdAfPV6QHvaAHLCSE04fj2C73vPpLsM2DRunpRosXcQ1p78sMmd794~B8ulxlGwJ~X00ehc~npB-AakiIr587TeNG1wKpgsR7yN99D4dTNRXyMR9~5V1n2FbilI2eoihtX-6R0XEIhlHJJ6sLp7YFs6BgaOSB3BZm6wQRs0rfc7SAK308aAf8fi1juuuLolZCBO~kBBeG75FCNr6MkVNhNlkqjSMKAit0n-6rMyS2JSxJLDEoDpwzYkFkD7rTf4nAWtzUcrid0Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 201, presented to the House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs by Sen. Walker, would add consumer protections for homeowners contracting for repairs after a natural disaster declared a state of emergency by the governor. The bill would allow consumers to cancel contracts in specific circumstances, require contractual notice of the right to cancel, and prohibit assignment of certain insurance benefits to contractors.

\"What I'm trying to do with this bill is to give the ability for a homeowner to cancel their contract with a contractor, if the contractor does not perform like they promised to do,\" Sen. Walker said. He described grounds for cancellation found in the bill: failing to substantially commence work, failing to complete services properly, and a consumer\u0000s right to cancel within five days if an insurer denies coverage after an adjuster\u0000s inspection. Senator Walker said the protections would apply for 12 months after a governor-declared state of emergency and would exclude emergency mitigation work such as temporary tarping.

Committee members from affected districts urged tightening or clarifying definitions. Representative Hagan said many residents in impacted counties faced contractors that appeared almost immediately after Hurricane Helene and supported the consumer protections but warned that 6 months might not be long enough given delays in repairs. Representative Olsteen described significant local damage and predatory pricing for tasks such as tree removal.

Several members suggested amending the bill to clarify the definition of \"natural disaster\" and whether a governor\u0000s declaration should be the sole trigger. Representative Jasper asked whether county-level declarations should also qualify for the protections; Sen. Walker said he would review the provision and noted he was balancing homeowner protection with not discouraging legitimate contractors needed for recovery.

Sen. Walker said he planned to revise the bill\u0000s language, including clarifying the statutory cross-reference for \"natural disaster,\" possibly changing the 12-month period and setting an effective date for any provision that requires insurers to modify forms (the insurers asked for an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, to update their forms).

The committee did not vote on SB 201 during the hearing; the sponsor said he intends to return with amendments and asked members to offer feedback in the coming days.","Sen. Walker presented SB 201 to the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee to allow homeowners in governor-declared disaster counties to cancel certain repair contracts and limit assignment of insurance benefits; members asked for changes to timing and scope.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6638859,"Attorney General—Consumer Protection staff brief House Ag & Consumer Affairs on scams, complaint process",416,492000,908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2567934-b264888d39264f6cddee2a6c3d1613bb&start=492&end=908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2567934-b264888d39264f6cddee2a6c3d1613bb/thumbnail_492000.jpg","/articles/6638859/Georgia/Attorney-GeneralConsumer-Protection-staff-brief-House-Ag-Consumer-Affairs-on-scams-complaint-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638859-e09bde800887b700f2bc80f689aebf56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226740&Signature=VAoA7rHLU2N0kMjZ9WrWjFs5WdUOHNFQyZZCtxb3mV9xOmInOJpejAQ8GWgB~9Wm4OLE3njnLy-5n5wHs1fLrQCCGe~9hERWEC6HR7s4Ik-H9DBlYlxWGweK32xYHXMDWIEQcFomvyrVBGuNlY7xy7vCcjQyMOcF57JQJf1riEl-~RjkzhVDPT8F2rfrkSUubJw2hZOcBTZmvgfvknFqmxej78ECSqUkSp5~4XjYKMcd8n0kCCwbdtH9U3ft0qDpri2HklarNAmFq-Y9ndvHYF8abegF9yQo3F3j0qD5kXDiCHUatar7eQ-QGx3BNmB3TmeGBCACiaBjMrUXISOWvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs heard a presentation from the Attorney General\u0000s Consumer Protection Division on the division\u0000s responsibilities, how Georgians can file complaints and the tools the office uses to investigate scams and unfair business practices.

Sean Conroy, communications and outreach coordinator for the Attorney General\u0000s Consumer Protection Division, told the committee that the office enforces the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act and fields roughly \"26 to 30,000 complaints a year.\" He described the division\u0000s call center and web intake form, and said staff triage complaints by public-interest factors such as number of consumers affected and whether the target is a vulnerable population.

\"We then decide if we need to open up a case,\" Conroy said, noting the office can mediate complaints, seek fines of up to $2,000 per violation, and file suit when warranted. He described enhanced penalties in state law for harms to older or disabled adults.

Jordan Watson, director of policy and external affairs for the Attorney General\u0000s Office, joined Conroy to describe the division\u0000s consumer-education work. Watson pointed committee members to consumer.ga.gov and said the site provides specific guidance for common scenarios, including wire-transfer fraud and gift-card scams, and publishes question-and-answer summaries of legal guidance the office provides to citizens.

Conroy and Watson described past enforcement results, including a recent settlement in a stem-cell matter in which roughly 500 people are to receive refunds as part of a court order after the office concluded the provider\u0000s claims were not scientifically supported.

Committee members asked about how constituents can use the office\u0000s services. Conroy said most complaints now arrive through the website\u0000s complaint form; staff ask callers to submit contracts, advertisements or other documents so lawyers and investigators can assess whether a matter is isolated or indicates a widespread problem. The division also issues consumer alerts and uses social media to notify Georgians when scams emerge, citing recent text-message scams that impersonated toll agencies.

The presentation emphasized education as a prevention tool: the office maintains a Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for older adults, developed with input from groups including AARP and law-enforcement partners, and a cybersecurity guide for small businesses, nonprofits and houses of worship.

Chair members thanked the office for the briefing and for making staff available to consult on constituent questions.","Staff from the Georgia Attorney General\u0000s Consumer Protection Division told the House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs about the office\u0000s complaint intake, enforcement tools and education resources, and urged members to direct constituents to consumer.ga.gov.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves SB 144 to clarify pesticide labeling liability; supporters and public-health critics spar in hearing

Senate Bill 201 aims to let homeowners cancel contracts after governor-declared disasters; committee members ask for narrower definitions

Attorney General—Consumer Protection staff brief House Ag & Consumer Affairs on scams, complaint process