Modern Ag Alliance Applauds Georgia Legislature For Protecting Farmers, Sending SB 144 To Governor’s Desk

Strong, Bipartisan Approval By Georgia Lawmakers A Signal To States Across America To Act

March 13, 2025
Contact: contact@modernagalliance.org

St. Louis, MO — Today, the Georgia House passed Senate Bill 144—legislation that would ensure farmers' continued access to crop protection tools they need to feed America. The 101-58 vote, which follows approval by the Georgia Senate 42-12, demonstrates a strong bipartisan commitment to protecting Georgia's agricultural industry and our food supply.  

"SB 144 is about protecting the backbone of our food system—America’s farmers," said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. "By passing SB 144, Georgia’s legislature sent a strong signal that lawmakers across the country must stand with farmers and safeguard their access to critical crop protection tools. Georgia farmers look forward to Governor Kemp signing this commonsense bill into law." 

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 the 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 are critical inputs to Georgia crop production, including cotton, corn, and soybeans—key contributors to the state's $91 billion agricultural economy. The Modern Ag Alliance’s recent Ag Insights Survey confirmed overwhelming public support among farmers and Georgians to preserve access to these tools: 92% of farmers and 78% of all Georgians—including 78% of Republicans and 84% of Democrats—are more likely to support elected officials who back legislation similar to SB 144. 

“We are grateful to Sen. Watson, Chairman Goodman, Rep. Meeks, Chairman Dickey, Speaker Burns, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and the full Georgia legislature for prioritizing the needs of Georgia farmers,” added Burns-Thompson. “The Modern Ag Alliance is proud to stand with Georgia farmers and see this legislation make 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.