North Dakota: URGENT! Ensure Pesticide Makers Remain Liable

Both chambers of the North Dakota legislature have passed a bill to remove pesticide makers’ liability for injuries caused by pesticides bearing an EPA-approved label under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

If the bill, HB 1318, is signed into law by Governor Kelly Armstrong, North Dakota residents harmed by pesticides would lose their right to hold manufacturers accountable in court unless very restrictive conditions are met.

This is a direct attack on consumer rights and public safety. HB 1318:

● Violates Constitutional Rights — The legislation undermines the 7th Amendment right to trial by jury. Any law that restricts a constitutional right must be carefully justified, yet no compelling case has been made for stripping the people of North Dakota of their right to seek legal recourse for pesticide-related health effects.

● Weakens Consumer Protections — These bills remove critical legal avenues, such as “failure to warn” lawsuits, for North Dakotans harmed by pesticides, leaving victims with little or no recourse.

● Threatens Public Health & the Environment — In the absence of meaningful legal consequences, manufacturers may take fewer precautions, increasing risks to both citizens and the environment from chemical exposures.

● Sets a Dangerous Precedent — If this bill becomes law, other industries could seek similar liability protection, further eroding consumer rights (and health and safety) across various sectors.

We’ve already seen the consequences of shielding an industry from liability: Vaccine manufacturers have enjoyed legal immunity for decades, leaving countless injured individuals with no meaningful recourse. We cannot allow corporations such as Bayer to bully our elected officials into sacrificing the rights of consumers to hold pesticide makers accountable.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

Just use the “Take Action Now” button at the top of this page, and follow the steps to make sure Governor Armstrong knows your stance on this critical issue.

Read the Bill
https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0622-03000.pdf