On April 28, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported out Senate Bill 915 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) which sets standards for the application of fertilizer to turf, provides for the certification of professional fertilizer applicators and for labeling and an education program (sponsor summary).

The goal of the legislation is to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient pollution going into Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams.  The legislation was included as a recommendation in Pennsylvania’s latest Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.

Legislation like this passed the Senate in 2018 as Senate Bill 792 (Alloway-R-Franklin).  The House Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee held a hearing on the bill last June, but did not consider it.

Similar legislation has already been enacted in Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey, and the industry has expressed a strong desire for consistency across the region and state.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for action.

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Related Article:

Op-Ed: Fertilizer Bill A Good Start, But Science-Based Changes Are Needed To Be Effective

[Posted: April 28, 2020]

5/4/2020