GCSAA monitors and takes action in collaboration with members and chapters on preemption/primacy laws and regulations and pesticide bans/restrictions across the country.
In Spring 2006, Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) launched a coordinated grassroots effort to address attempts at the local government level by activists to ban the use of pesticides and fertilizers. GCSAA is working closely with RISE to ensure that specialty pest management products remain available for purchase and use.
In 2013, GCSAA and its members responded to proposed pesticide bans in Long Island, New York; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Thurston County, Washington; Tacoma Park, Maryland and Montgomery County, Maryland.
In 2014, GCSAA and its members responded to proposed pesticide bans in Charlottesville, Virginia; Montgomery County, Maryland; and Cook County Illinois. GCSAA also closely followed attempts by the Colorado Pesticide Reform Coalition to overturn pesticide preemption in the state.
In 2015, GCSAA and its members responded to proposed pesticide bans in Montgomery County, Maryland; South Portland, Maine; Colorado; Connecticut; and Charlottesville, Virginia.
In 2016, GCSAA and RISE worked together to address anti-pesticide bills in CA, CT, MA, ME, MD, NY, NJ, FL, VT, NH, and NM.