Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025
Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the bill does:** This bill would change how the federal government regulates plant biostimulants—substances and microorganisms that help plants grow naturally without acting as traditional pesticides. Currently, many of these products are classified and regulated as pesticides under federal law. The bill would exempt certain plant biostimulants (particularly biological ones or synthetic versions similar to natural substances) from being treated as pesticides, reducing the regulatory burden on these products. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily benefits agricultural companies, farmers, and gardeners who use plant biostimulants. It could streamline product development and reduce compliance costs for manufacturers.
The Department of Agriculture would also be tasked with studying these products and their uses. Consumers might see these products become more accessible or affordable if regulatory barriers are lowered. **Current status:** The bill is sponsored by Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. No companion bill in the House has been identified yet.
CRS Official Summary
Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025This bill excludes certain plant biostimulants (i.e., substances, microorganisms, or mixtures thereof that support a plant's natural processes independently of the nutrient content) from regulation as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).Specifically, the bill excludes biological plant biostimulants (or those that are synthetic but structurally similar to substances of biological origin) from being classified as plant regulators, which are substances regulated as pesticides under FIFRA. Additionally, the bill excludes nutritional chemicals and plant biostimulants from being classified as nitrogen stabilizers, which are generally regulated as pesticides under FIFRA. The bill also establishes statutory definitions for plant biostimulants, nutritional chemicals, and vitamin hormone products. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to study and report on the types of plant biostimulants and practices of plant biostimulant use that best achieve certain results, such as increasing organic matter content.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.