Pesticide Harm Accountability Act

The Pesticide Harm Accountability Act aims to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to safeguard state tort law claims from federal preemption. This legislative effort seeks to ensure that individuals harmed by pesticide exposure can pursue legal action against manufacturers, particularly concerning product labeling, despite federal regulatory approvals. The bill's findings highlight perceived shortcomings in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) oversight of pesticides, including reliance on outdated science, conditional registrations, and the continued sale of products with voided registrations. It emphasizes that state tort law serves as a crucial mechanism for accountability when federal regulations fail to protect public health. A recent Supreme Court decision, Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, is cited as having eliminated a common path for victims to seek redress by preempting state tort claims related to pesticide labeling. To address this, the bill specifically amends FIFRA sections 2(q) and 24(b). These amendments clarify that FIFRA's provisions on **misbranding** and **uniformity** do not prohibit the placement of warnings required by state tort law on pesticides, nor do they limit state tort claims related to pesticide labeling or packaging. Furthermore, it mandates that the EPA Administrator submit a report to Congress identifying any regulations or guidance that restrict such state tort law claims and outline steps taken to ensure compliance with these new provisions.