A coordinated industry effort is advancing laws in multiple states to shield pesticide makers from lawsuits over health harms. The push follows recent court rulings and a high-profile Supreme Court case. Opponents warn the measures could limit accountability for farmers and families.
Industry groups have lobbied for pesticide immunity bills in 15 states over the past three years. The measures passed in Georgia, North Dakota and Kentucky, while failing in a dozen others. These laws aim to protect companies from failure-to-warn claims if their products carry Environmental Protection Agency-approved labels. In late April 2026, protesters rallied outside the Supreme Court during opening arguments in Monsanto v. Durnell. The case questions whether federal labeling rules override state-level lawsuits. A ruling for Monsanto could weaken legal options for those alleging harm from pesticides like glyphosate. Federal lawmakers rejected a similar immunity provision in the Farm Bill shortly afterward, with 73 Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Meanwhile, the Modern Ag Alliance, founded by Bayer in 2024, has spent heavily on lobbying, including roughly $1.6 million in Tennessee in 2025. Advocates including Daniel Hinkle of the American Association for Justice and Joy Reeves of the Rachel Carson Council say the campaign is well-funded and coordinated. They note that many states with high cancer rates have seen these bills advance, reducing options for those exposed to pesticides.
