ASTA Tracking State Seed Legislation

So far this year, more than 31,000 bills have been filed in the states, and nearly 1,000 of those bills include the word “seed.” ASTA has narrowed those down to a list of 27 which it’s actively watching—including quite a few that deal with weed and pollinator issues. Some of the key bills on ASTA’s active “watch list” include:

Idaho: Seed Indemnity Fund Law (S.B. 1207) — Introduced by the Department of Agriculture, the bill would amend existing law to provide certain net worth and bond requirements; this would add paperwork requirements and force seed dealers to perform audits.

Indiana: Ag Lien (S.B. 384) – This bill would amend the Indiana commercial law code to create an agricultural supply dealer lien.

Indiana: Weed Bills — 

• HB 1227:Specifies that waterhemp, marestail, and Palmer amaranth are noxious weeds for purposes of the weed control board law.
• HB 1098:Allows that the state seed commissioner or state chemist may adopt emergency rules for a purpose for which the seed commissioner or state chemist is currently authorized to adopt rules under certain horticulture product and control laws.
• SB 330:Provides that the state seed commissioner may not adopt rules banning all varieties of Amaranthus.

ASTA will continue tracking these and other seed-related bills at the state level, and will provide updates should any begin to advance.