Modern Ag Alliance Applauds Bipartisan Senate Passage of SB 144
Georgia Senate Overwhelmingly Stands With Farmers to Protect Critical Ag Tools
March 4, 2025
Contact: contact@modernagalliance.org
St. Louis, MO — Today, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 144—critical legislation that would ensure farmers' continued access to the essential crop protection tools that sustain our nation's food supply. The 42-12 vote demonstrates a strong bipartisan commitment to protecting Georgia’s agricultural industry.
"The decisive passage of SB 144 shows that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have chosen to stand with Georgia farmers and the millions of Georgians concerned about the high cost of food,” said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. “SB 144 will ensure Georgia farmers continue to have access to the crop protection tools they rely on to keep yields up and costs down. This isn’t just good policy, it’s also good politics: over three-fourths of Georgians are more likely to support elected officials who back legislation similar to SB 144.”
SB 144 reasserts that federally approved pesticide labels are the law, and that companies cannot be subject to relentless litigation for following the law. Specifically, it ensures that any pesticide registered with the U.S. EPA—and sold under a label consistent with the EPA’s own determinations—is sufficient to satisfy state label warning requirements.
This legislation has received strong support from a wide range of Georgia agricultural organizations, including the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Farm Bureau, and Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.
Crop protection tools are the backbone of modern farming, helping growers maintain high yields and low costs as well as implement conservation practices. These products, such as glyphosate, are critical inputs to Georgia crop production, especially cotton, corn, and soybeans —key contributors to the state's $91 billion agricultural economy. The Modern Ag Alliance surveyed Georgians in its inaugural Ag Insights Survey and confirmed overwhelming public support to preserve Georgia farmers' access to these critical inputs.
“We are grateful to Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Senator Russ Goodman, Senator Sam Watson and the other bill sponsors, and the full Georgia Senate for prioritizing the needs of Georgia farmers,” added Burns-Thompson. “As SB 144 moves to the House, we look forward to continuing the conversation with legislators to ensure this legislation makes its way to the Governor's desk."
About The Modern Ag Alliance
The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of agricultural stakeholders advocating for U.S. farmers’ access to the crop protection tools they need to ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply. To learn more, visit modernagalliance.org.