Sponsors
The bill creates a new federal cause of action allowing compensatory and punitive monetary awards and preserves state claims—improving legal remedies for pesticide harms—while barring fee-shifting, potentially deterring low-income plaintiffs, increasing costs for registrants (and consumers), and imposing venue burdens on rural plaintiffs.
Homeowners, farmers, agricultural workers, and rural communities can sue pesticide registrants in federal court for monetary compensation, creating a clear federal private right of action.
People harmed by pesticides — including patients with chronic conditions, homeowners, and farmers/agricultural workers — can recover compensatory damages to help pay medical bills, property loss, or remediation costs.
Rural communities and agricultural workers may obtain punitive damages (at the court's discretion), which strengthens deterrence against reckless conduct by pesticide registrants.
Low-income individuals and homeowners are discouraged from bringing suits because recovery of attorney fees and court costs is barred, making litigation effectively unaffordable for many.
Farmers, agricultural workers, and consumers could face higher prices if pesticide registrants pass increased litigation exposure and compliance costs onto buyers.
Rural residents and homeowners may be forced to litigate far from home due to a federal-only venue requirement, increasing travel, time, and logistical burdens.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows anyone harmed by a pesticide to sue the pesticide registrant in federal court for compensatory and punitive damages, while barring recovery of attorney’s fees and preserving state-law claims.
Introduced July 17, 2025 by Cory Anthony Booker · Last progress July 17, 2025
Creates a new federal private right of action under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act allowing any person injured in their person or property by a pesticide to sue the pesticide registrant in federal district court for monetary damages. Courts may award compensatory and punitive damages, but plaintiffs may not recover attorney’s fees or court costs; existing state-law claims are preserved.