Key Takeaways
- SB 144, signed by Governor Kemp, ensures pesticide manufacturers cannot be held liable for not providing warnings beyond those approved by the EPA.
- The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all EPA-registered pesticides.
- The bill received bipartisan support in Georgia’s legislature (Senate 42–12, House 101–58).
- Agricultural groups, including the Modern Ag Alliance, Georgia Agribusiness Council, and Georgia Farm Bureau, praised the law.
- SB 144 is the second law of its kind in the U.S., following similar legislation in North Dakota.
SB 144 Becomes Law in Georgia with Strong Legislative Support
Legal Protection for EPA-Registered Pesticides
Governor Brian Kemp has signed Senate Bill 144 into law, marking a significant legislative step for Georgia’s agricultural sector. The bill amends Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 2 of Georgia law, establishing that manufacturers of EPA-registered pesticides cannot be sued under state law for failing to warn of health risks beyond those assessed and required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The legislation becomes effective January 1, 2026, and applies to any pesticide label approved by the EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
SB 144 Legislative Findings Underscore Agricultural and Economic Impact
Strategic Supply Chain and Domestic Input Security
The bill’s preamble outlines the rationale for its passage:
- Agriculture contributes over $91 billion to Georgia’s economy.
- Georgia is the nation’s top peanut producer and second-largest cotton producer.
- Dependence on foreign ingredients for crop protection products, especially from China, poses a strategic risk.
- The bill supports domestic pesticide production and regulatory clarity, considered essential to maintaining productivity and food security.
Industry and Ag Leaders Praise Science-Based Approach of The SB 144
Broad Support from Georgia’s Farming and Agribusiness Community
Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Executive Director of the Modern Ag Alliance, described the bill as a “momentous win” for the state’s growers: “Farmers now have greater clarity that the tools they need to maintain our food supply will remain available… This new law adds to the growing momentum for other states to adopt similar legislation.”
Will Bentley, President of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, noted: “This law provides Georgia’s farmers and agribusiness with the certainty they need to remain competitive… We appreciate Governor Kemp and the Georgia Legislature for prioritizing policies that benefit farmers and consumers alike.”
Tom McCall, President of the Georgia Farm Bureau, emphasized consistency: “This law safeguards growers’ access to essential inputs… and helps sustain Georgia’s agricultural economy.”
SB 144 Viewed as National Model by Crop Protection Industry
Bayer and Other Industry Stakeholders Weigh In
Crop protection manufacturer Bayer also endorsed the law, noting that it reaffirms EPA authority and protects access to tools like glyphosate-based herbicides, which have faced legal challenges in various states.
Brian Naber, President of Crop Science North America at Bayer, said: “Georgia stands with its farmers… We hope other states considering similar legislation will also support the tools critical to their success.”
The company stressed that glyphosate and similar products undergo global regulatory scrutiny and that this law supports uniform, science-based decision-making.
Outlook: Regulatory Clarity for the Future of U.S. Agriculture
Georgia Joins a Growing Movement to Protect Input Access
With the enactment of SB 144, Georgia becomes the second state in the nation—after North Dakota—to adopt legislation that limits state-level liability claims beyond EPA mandates. Supporters argue this protects farmers’ access to affordable, scientifically vetted crop protection products and reduces legal uncertainty for manufacturers.
