The Beneficial Substances Act establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for beneficial substances used in agriculture, such as plant biostimulants and soil amendments. This legislation preempts local regulations, preventing local governments from imposing their own rules on the registration, labeling, or distribution of these substances. All beneficial substances must be registered with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, which will conduct inspections, sampling, and analysis to ensure compliance. The Act also sets forth specific labeling requirements to enhance transparency for consumers and introduces penalties for violations, including administrative fines of up to $5,000 for distributing unregistered or misbranded substances.

In addition to creating new regulations, the bill amends several sections of the New Mexico Fertilizer Act, specifically removing references to "soil conditioners" and introducing new definitions such as "blender" and "custom blend." It empowers the Department to issue stop sale orders and seize non-compliant fertilizers, while also allowing for minor violations to be addressed with written warnings. The legislation aims to improve oversight and compliance in the fertilizer industry, ensuring consumer protection and promoting the free movement of products among registered entities. Overall, the Beneficial Substances Act seeks to enhance the safety and effectiveness of agricultural practices through stringent regulatory measures.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 76-11-3, 76-11-5, 76-11-6, 76-11-7, 76-11-10, 76-11-11, 76-11-12, 76-11-13, 76-11-14, 76-11-15, 76-11-16, 76-11-17, 76-11-18, 76-11-19