Assembly Bill 93 proposes significant changes to the regulation of fertilizers and soil or plant additives derived from manure, specifically those produced through composting or vermicomposting. The bill allows for the distribution of fertilizers with a combined weight of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium of less than 24 percent, which is a departure from the current requirement that mandates a minimum of 24 percent. Additionally, it exempts fertilizers made from composted manure from needing to meet minimum nutrient content requirements. The bill also permits representations about the nutrient content of these fertilizers to be substantiated by typical analyses rather than guaranteed analyses, thereby easing the regulatory burden on producers.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the requirements for soil or plant additives, stating that the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) cannot mandate controlled experimental field tests to prove their efficacy. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "beneficial substance" and "vermicompost," and allows for the truthfulness of statements on labels or permit applications to be substantiated by typical analyses. The bill aims to streamline the process for producers of compost-based soil or plant additives, reducing the need for extensive scientific evidence while still ensuring that claims about their contents are accurate.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 94.64(3m)(a)(intro.), 94.64, 94.64(3m)(a)1, 94.64(9)(c), 94.65(4)(a)(intro.), 94.65, 94.65(4)(b)