TN Alert - Stop Pesticide Immunity Vote NO on HB 0809 (House Cmte)

Tell Committee to Vote NO on HB 0809 and all amendments

Stop Pesticide Manufacturers’ Push for Immunity

House Bill 0809 (HB 0809), which was previously taken off notice in the House Judiciary Committee on January 21, may be brought back for consideration. HB 0809 would provide sweeping legal protections to pesticide manufacturers by treating EPA-approved labels as sufficient warning under state law. If passed, this would make it nearly impossible for individuals harmed by pesticide exposure to bring successful failure-to-warn claims, even when independent science shows risks not reflected on the label.

This legislation has already passed the Senate in a prior session and cleared multiple committees. If it returns to the House Judiciary Committee, it will be the final step before reaching the House floor.

Amendments are expected, but based on prior versions, these changes do not address the core issue. The bill would still function as a liability shield for pesticide manufacturers.

ACTION TO TAKE

Call and email House Judiciary members and ask that they vote NO on HB 0809 and any amendments provided if the bill is brought back. Include where you live in Tennessee. Committee member phone numbers are listed after the Talking Points below which can be used in your messages.

To find your legislator, enter your address at https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/Apps/fml2022/search.aspx

You may copy/paste the entire block to email the full committee:

rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov;

rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov; rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov;

rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov;

rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov;

rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov;

rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.Scarborough@capitol.tn.gov;

TALKING POINTS

1. HB 809 grants blanket legal immunity based on flawed assumptions

The bill treats an EPA-approved label as legally sufficient — no questions asked — but EPA approval is not a guarantee of safety, accuracy, or completeness.
The EPA itself does not independently test pesticides. It simply reviews data submitted by the manufacturer, who profits from the product and controls what is submitted.

2. HB 809 guts accountability for harm

The bill makes the label a complete shield against lawsuits related to the duty to warn or label — even if the label is misleading, outdated, or based on faulty data.
This would undermine the very purpose of civil law — to hold companies accountable when their products cause injury or damage.

3. Lawsuits and misbranding laws are necessary backstops

Labels can contain bad data, outdated risk information, vague or misleading instructions, or even deliberate omissions.
When this happens, state-level tort claims are often the only way to force corrections and protect public health.

4. No amendment “fixes” this bill, immunity is the outcome, no matter the wording

Any amendment modeled after what was passed in Georgia’s law or the Tennessee Senate language does not remove the core problem.
Make it clear that you’re request is for the member to vote no on any amendment offered and the bill.

WAPF will send out future alerts on HB 0809 as events warrant.

COMMITEE CONTACT INFORMATION

House Judiciary Committee – https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/CommitteeInfo/HouseComm?ga=114&committeeKey=830000

Chairman Andrew Farmer 615-741-4419 Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov

Vice-Chair Elaine Davis 615-741-2287 Rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov

Rep Rebecca Alexander 615-741-2251 rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov

Rep Fred Atchley 615-741-5981 rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov

Rep Gino Bulso 615-741-6808 rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov

Rep Clay Doggett 615-741-7476 rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov

Rep Johnny Garrett 615-741-3893 rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov

Rep G.A. Hardaway 615-741-5625 Rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov

Rep Torrey Harris 615-741-2239 rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov