HOWELL’S SENATE BILL 199 ALIGNS KENTUCKY PESTICIDE LAW WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS
Bill provides clarity for manufacturers, retailers, consumers operating in Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 6, 2026) — Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, has secured passage of Senate Bill (SB) 199 which aligns Kentucky’s pesticide labeling standards with federal law and provides clarity for manufacturers, retailers and consumers operating in Kentucky.
The EPA has exclusive control over all aspects of pesticide management including the content of warning labels. SB 199 establishes that a pesticide label approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under federal law is deemed a sufficient warning label under Kentucky law for purposes of state duty-to-warn claims. By recognizing EPA-approved labels as meeting state requirements, the bill ensures consistency with federal standards and protects Kentucky farmers from product price increases by limiting frivolous lawsuit exposure.
Howell said the legislation provides regulatory certainty while maintaining strong consumer protections. The measure preserves accountability by maintaining liability in cases where a manufacturer knowingly withholds or misrepresents material safety information.
“Kentucky should not impose conflicting standards when federal experts have already established clear, science-based labeling requirements,” Howell said. “SB 199 keeps our state in line with federal law, provides consistency for businesses and farmers, and ensures accountability remains.”
The bill has earned broad support from Kentucky’s agricultural and forestry communities. Testifying in favor of SB 199 were Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Kyle Kelly; Kentucky Department of Forestry Director Christopher Will; Rep. Ryan Bivens, R-Hodgenville, a farmer representing the 24th House District; and Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance.
SB 199 may now be taken up by the House of Representatives.