SB 527 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Pest Control - As introduced, specifies that a manufacturer or seller of a pesticide registered with the commissioner of agriculture and with the environmental protection agency under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is not liable in a civil action related to the labeling of the pesticide, if the pesticide bore a label approved by the EPA under FIFRA at the time of sale. - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 8.

SB 527 exempts pesticide manufacturers and sellers from civil lawsuits related to labeling, provided the pesticide was registered with both Tennessee's commissioner of agriculture and the EPA under federal law (FIFRA) and bore an EPA-approved label at the time of sale. The bill specifically removes liability for product safety claims tied to labeling, as long as the pesticide met all federal and state registration requirements. It does not apply if the pesticide was manufactured or sold in violation of Tennessee law or FIFRA. This change directly affects pesticide companies and could influence how product liability cases are handled in Tennessee courts.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action Apr 7, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 3, 2025

How they voted

304
Passed
Total votes 34
Apr 3, 2025
D Democratic6
2 Yea 4 Nay
66% Nay
R Republican28
28 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0204)
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 21, Nays 7, PNV 2
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 2 PNV 1
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/24/2025
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recalled from Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of John Stevens
John Stevens
RRepublican
TN
24