HB303 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thomas JacksonRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Fertilizers, local ordinance, rule, or regulation pertaining to prohibited, subject matter of Agriculture and Industries Department

Summary

HB303 would prohibit local governments in Alabama from regulating fertilizers and move the regulation of fertilizers entirely to the Department of Agriculture and Industries.

What This Bill Does

The bill would bar counties and municipalities from adopting or maintaining any rules about fertilizer registration, packaging, labeling, sale, distribution, or application. It would transfer the authority to regulate fertilizers to the Department of Agriculture and Industries. It defines what counts as a fertilizer and lists exemptions, while noting that existing zoning and business license rules are not affected. It also repeals laws that conflict with this act and sets an effective date for the new rules.

Who It Affects

• County commissions and municipal governing bodies: would lose the power to regulate fertilizers locally.
• Department of Agriculture and Industries: would become the sole regulator of fertilizers in the state.
• Fertilizer manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and users (such as farmers and gardeners): would follow state-level regulations set by the Department rather than local rules.
• Local zoning and business license rules: would remain unaffected by the bill.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits counties and municipalities from adopting or continuing any ordinance, rule, or resolution regulating fertilizer registration, packaging, labeling, sale, distribution, or application; the subject becomes under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture and Industries.
• Defines fertilizer as any substance with plant nutrients used to promote growth, with explicit exemptions for unmanipulated manures, marl, lime, limestone, wood ashes, boiler ashes from specified industries, and other products exempted by regulation.
• States that this act does not override existing zoning ordinances or business licenses enacted by local governments.
• Repeals laws or parts of laws that conflict with this act.
• Provides that the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor (or once it becomes law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Fertilizers