VT LEG #381793 v.2
H.484 – An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects
As introduced by the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and
Forestry
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Bill Summary
his bill proposes amendments to various agricultural statutes. As introduced, the bill’s proposed
amendments to registration requirements for beneficial agricultural substances could have a de
minimis impact on State revenues.
Section 1: Registration requirements for beneficial agricultural substances
Under current law, distributors of fertilizer and other substances that promote plant growth, such as soil
amendments and plant biostimulants, must register their products annually with the Secretary of Agriculture,
Food, and Markets. Distributors pay an annual $85 registration fee per product to do so. Registration fees are
deposited to the “AF&M – Feed Seeds & Fertilizer” special fund, the use of which is restricted to State
agricultural programs.
This bill introduces a definition of “beneficial substances” to statute. This is a largely technical change that is
meant to align Vermont with national standards for product definition and labeling to promote the uniform
regulation of these substances. Most products captured by this definition are non-fertilizer substances that are
beneficial to plant growth, such as soil amendments and biostimulants, that are already registered and
distributed in Vermont. This bill updates statutory language to clarify that these substances, while placed under
a new definition, continue to fall under existing registration requirements.
If this bill results in increased product registrations (and $85 fees paid to the State), it could increase State
revenue. However, the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM) is aware of only a few products
registered in other states that might be newly subject to this bill’s registration requirements. Given that AAFM
already registers several thousand products annually, it does not expect a significant increase in registrations
or revenue from this bill. Any fiscal impact is expected to be minimal, likely under $1,000 annually.
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The full fiscal note history is available on the fiscal tab of the bill page on the General Assembly website and can be accessed
through a bill number search on the JFO page.
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The Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) is a nonpartisan legislative office dedicated to producing unbiased fiscal analysis – this fiscal note is
meant to provide information for legislative consideration, not to provide policy recommendations.
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March 19, 2025 James Duffy, Fiscal Analyst