Iowa Senate Passes Bill Protecting Pesticide Companies From Lawsuits

Now heads to Iowa House

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Pesticide companies could soon be protected from lawsuits about the safety of their products. A bill passed by the Iowa Senate Tuesday would shield pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits if they’re following EPA warning guidelines.

Democrats say they’re concerned the bill would strip Iowans of protections if they get sick. Republicans say the products are safe, and that the cost of these chemicals are going up due to frivolous lawsuits.

Democratic State Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames said, “Once upon a time, we were told, ship workers were told, construction workers were told, automobile workers were told that working with asbestos was safe. That label was wrong.”

If signed into law, Iowa would be first in the nation to have such a protection. Democratic State Senator Molly Donahue of Cedar Rapids said, “Every other state people can go ahead and sue these companies, but Iowans, they can’t.”