Iowa Senate Bill SF2412

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/20/24
• Engrossed: 4/2/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to pesticides, by providing for tort liability.(Formerly SSB 3188.)

Impact

The implications of SF2412 are significant as it centralizes the responsibility for ensuring safety standards on the EPA, thereby reducing the liability for producers and users of approved pesticides under state law. By stating that compliance with EPA labeling fulfills state legal obligations for warning about health or safety concerns, the bill may streamline compliance processes for those in the agricultural sector. However, these changes could lead to potential safety concerns if local assessments of pesticide impacts are overridden by federal standards.

Summary

Senate File 2412 is a proposed legislation aimed at modifying state tort liability laws concerning pesticides in the state of Iowa. Specifically, the bill amends Section 668.12 of the Code of Iowa, establishing that if a pesticide is registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the label approved by the EPA will suffice as a sufficient warning regarding its health or safety implications. The bill essentially creates a defense against civil liability for those using these EPA-registered pesticides, provided that the labels meet certain criteria.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding this bill. Critics may argue that relying solely on federal label standards could undermine state-level environmental health initiatives and local governance over agricultural practices. Additionally, the bill specifies that the labeling provision does not apply to pesticides made by state-owned enterprises from the People's Republic of China, which introduces an economic dimension to the debate, raising questions about foreign influence and safety standards in agriculture. This may provoke discussions regarding international trade and domestic agricultural regulations.