We recently achieved a major victory on the federal level against pesticide manufacturer immunity. And it’s not just a win for our health—it is a reminder that our legislators listen when we make our voices heard.

We the people CAN and must influence legislative outcomes—especially right now, right here, in Georgia.

U.S. Congress drops Provision shielding pesticide manufacturers

Earlier this month, under public pressure, Section 453 was removed from the House FY (financial year 2026) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This controversial provision would have diminished corporate accountability by shielding pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits and restricting state regulations. But Congress dropped the provision after advocacy groups like MAHA, PIRG, and Moms Across America exerted pressure through an organized call-and-write campaign.

My friend and naturopath, Deb MacIntyre, captures this win succinctly in a recent article. Read what she has to say below. Then learn how we can bring the same momentum to Georgia to overturn SB 144 – a bill passed into law last year that grants immunity to pesticide manufacturers.

Legislative victory explained

“There’s been a huge victory on the legislative front for all who are interested in preventing chronic disease! The Senate has been putting together their appropriations bill and as commonly happens, there are all kinds of sections added to these bills to slide into law along with the main aspects of the bill. This bill contained a particularly dangerous section that would give pesticide manufacturers immunity from being sued for any damages to people who are exposed to their pesticides. Of course, this opens the door to even nastier formulas than the cancer-causing ones we already deal with.

We are exposed to pesticides through use on agriculture, as pest prevention in our homes (and restaurants, grocery stores, etc.) and on yards and golf courses. They are even fogged through communities as mosquito control and sprayed in public parks. Currently, each pesticide is considered separately and no one looks at what exposures from all these different sources can do. Pesticides irritate the central nervous system and can contribute to anxiety and neurodegenerative conditions like MS and Parkinson’s, not to mention cancer. Definitely, the less we are exposed to, the better!

As I mentioned above, opening the door for pesticide companies to develop new, more dangerous chemicals with impunity is NOT in our best interest in any way.

Moms Across America and several other organizations who have holistic health roots initiated a campaign to call and write senators opposing this section. And now, victory! The section granting immunity to pesticide manufacturers was removed from the bill!

These corporations do not care about our health, and I have no doubt that we all dodged a major bullet here. It seriously was a David and Goliath situation to go after these giant chemical corporations. This victory is proof that we as individuals DO have power when we join together!”  Deb MacIntyre ND

What Does this mean for Georgia and SB 144?

Unfortunately, last year, the Georgia Assembly passed SB 144, stripping families and farmers of their right to hold pesticide companies accountable for violating federal law. This law grants foreign chemical corporations immunity—even for federal misbranding violations. By the time most Georgians learned about SB 144, the legislation was already barreling toward passage. The lobbyists had done their job well.

Legislators didn’t seem embarrassed that Georgia was one of only two states to have passed such legislation. The other state was North Dakota.

Georgia Agricultural Export Business

What’s worse is the fact that the Georgia agricultural export business is in the billions!

Consequently, we are exposing the rest of the country to any health consequences perpetuated by pesticide manufacturer immunity.  Millions of people across the country eat produce from Georgia, a state where pesticide companies are not held accountable.

Consider these stats:

• Georgia is number one in the nation for peanut production, growing half of the nation’s supply. (Think peanut butter– there’s at least one jar of it in 94 percent of U.S households.)
• Georgia is number two for pecan and watermelon production.
• Georgia ranks third in the nation in bell pepper, cantaloupe, onion, peach, and sweet corn production.
• Our blueberries, cabbage, and cucumbers are among the top-ranked in the nation.

The ramifications of SB 144 extend far beyond Georgia, thus increasing our responsibility to repeal it.

SB 144 can be repealed

Here’s the good news: SB 144 doesn’t have to be permanent.

Although SB 144 has been enacted, we can do something about the unfortunate fact that pesticide manufacturers have been given immunity here in Georgia.

The passage of a bill into law doesn’t mean the law must exist in perpetuity. Laws can be undone or repealed.

How to repeal a law

To repeal a Georgia law, the Georgia General Assembly must pass a new bill to repeal or amend it. Just like any other bill, once it is passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, it goes to the Governor for a signature (or a veto override).

So, the passage of SB 144 doesn’t have to silence Georgia citizens or extinguish their commitment to health freedom. In fact, the recent national groundswell of citizen activism against pesticide manufacturer immunity could create statewide momentum.

Now is the time to act. With the recent national win and Georgia legislators in session, we have a real opportunity to abolish SB 144.

Contact your legislators today. Ask them to sponsor a bill repealing SB 144.  Remind them of the recent abandonment of the pesticide manufacturer immunity provision by our U.S. Congress due to public pressure.  Let them know that the country has awakened to the health liabilities of pesticide manufacturer immunity. Once the extent of Georgia’s produce exports is understood at the national level, there will be a national public outcry. And the same forces that brought pressure to bear on DC will likely turn their focus to Georgia.

These citizens and groups didn’t put all that effort into removing 453 just to be blindsided by Georgia’s agricultural practices.

Tell your legislators that you (and many others) support a bill to repeal SB 144. When it is introduced, Georgia citizens will show up in force to support it. And it will be the right thing to do for the country.

Find your representatives now: Visit My Voter Page to locate your House Representative and State Senator. Then reach out—call, email, or visit in person. Your voice matters.

Change can happen. It starts with you.

To join like-minded citizens, click HERE.

References:

College of Agricultural and Environmental. Sciences. Georgia AG Impact Report.Georgia Ag Impact Report

Linder, Jannick, “Peanut Butter Statistics”.Jitnux, Dec 2025.Peanut Butter Statistics Statistics: Market Data Report 2026