Sponsors (2)
The bill expands federal remedies and potential damages for people harmed by pesticides—improving compensation and deterrence—while raising access-to-justice and cost concerns because plaintiffs cannot recover attorney fees and litigation costs and registrants may pass higher costs to buyers.
Homeowners, rural communities, farmers, and agricultural workers can sue pesticide registrants in federal court for monetary compensation for pesticide-related injuries, creating a clear federal remedy.
Patients with chronic conditions, homeowners, and farmers can recover compensatory damages to help cover medical bills, property loss, or remediation expenses resulting from pesticide exposure.
Rural communities and farmers/agricultural workers gain stronger deterrence against reckless registrant behavior because courts may award punitive damages at their discretion.
Low-income individuals and homeowners may be discouraged from filing legitimate claims because the law bars recovery of attorney fees and court costs.
Farmers, agricultural workers, and consumers could face higher prices if pesticide registrants pass increased litigation and compliance costs onto buyers.
Rural communities and homeowners may have to litigate in federal venues far from home, increasing travel, time, and logistical burdens for plaintiffs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal right to sue pesticide registrants for personal or property injury, allows compensatory and punitive damages, bars attorney’s fees, and preserves state 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 (FIFRA) allowing any person injured in their person or property by a pesticide to sue the pesticide registrant in U.S. district court for monetary damages. The measure permits recovery of compensatory and, at the court’s discretion, punitive damages, but expressly bars recovery of attorney’s fees and court costs and preserves state-law claims. Also makes technical statutory renumbering to accommodate the new provision; it does not create new federal spending or program authorizations beyond adding the private cause of action.