Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pesticide Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves bill saying EPA-approved pesticide labels satisfy state warning requirements
Summary
HB 424 would make an EPA- or commissioner-approved FIFRA label legally sufficient for state purposes; sponsors said the bill codifies federal preemption and was amended to correct a statutory reference before receiving a committee do-pass recommendation.
Representative Meeks told the committee HB 424 clarifies that pesticide labels approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or those registered with the state commissioner consistent with FIFRA, constitute a sufficient warning label for state-law purposes.
"This bill ... is saying that any pesticide that is registered with the commissioner or the Environmental Protection Agency ... displaying a label that has been approved by the EPA ... shall be deemed a sufficient warning label," Meeks said. The measure was presented in response to state and local efforts — most notably in California litigation — to require additional warnings beyond the EPA-approved label for glyphosate-based products.
Experts and industry groups supporting the bill described FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) as the lead federal authority on pesticide registration and labeling and told the committee that EPA registration is an ongoing process that includes re-evaluation as new science emerges. Dr. Craig Lewallen (Exponent), representing CropLife and the Southern Crop Association, described FIFRA’s data requirements and the agency’s authority to request additional studies and revise labels over time.
Public- and industry-facing supporters in the hearing included Modern Ag Alliance, Southern Crop Association/CropLife America (via Dr. Lewallen), the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Georgia Farm Bureau, all of which argued the bill provides regulatory certainty for growers and landscape professionals.
Committee action: The committee approved a technical amendment correcting an internal statutory reference and then voted the bill do pass by voice vote; the transcript records the amendment vote and the do-pass voice vote but does not provide numerical tallies.
Why it matters: The bill would strengthen the legal effect of EPA-approved pesticide labels in Georgia and limit the addition of state labeling or packaging requirements that are not equivalent to federal standards. Backers said it provides certainty for agricultural producers and related industries; opponents (not present in this hearing) have argued over potential public-health and environmental concerns tied to specific pesticides.
Votes at a glance: HB 424 — Amendment (line number correction) approved; Motion to do pass approved by voice vote; numerical tallies not specified.
