On May 23, U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Jim Baird (IN-04), and Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), reintroduced the Plant Biostimulant Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to address the current federal framework regarding plant biostimulants, as there is no clear or consistent framework to govern the use of plant biostimulants.

The Plant Biostimulant Act would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to define biostimulants, direct EPA to reflect the new definition and require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the contributions of plant biostimulants to soil sustainability.

Panetta’s press release included a quote from GCSAA’s CEO Rhett Evans:

“I'd like to thank Congressmen Panetta and Baird for reintroducing the Plant Biostimulant Act," said Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Courses Superintendents Association of America. “Plant biostimulants help golf course superintendents provide healthy greenspaces that benefit everyone. This legislation will help ensure golf's access to this valuable product."

Read the entire press release here.

Contact Bob Helland, GCSAA director of congressional and federal affairs, for more information.