Zombie Legislation: The Never-Ending Battle Against Bad Bills

No matter how many times you think you've defeated it, it keeps coming back to life again and again.

In the Idaho Legislature, there's one thing we know for sure: a corporate-sponsored bill is like a zombie - no matter how many times you think you've defeated it, it keeps coming back to life again and again.

For example, Senate Bill 1245 regarding pesticides was introduced in the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee early in the session. This bill would protect Bayer US LLC from being sued in Idaho for harm caused by Roundup, an herbicide produced by Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018.

Roundup has faced legal challenges due to health concerns, including claims of causing cancer. The bill is significant for Idaho, as the state heavily relies on Roundup for farming, a vital industry.

Despite the economic importance, serious concerns exist regarding the potential health risks associated with Roundup. SB1245 stated that as long as the company includes EPA warning labels on its product, it fulfills its duty to warn, thereby limiting its liability in lawsuits.

Thanks to the Idaho Freedom Caucus and our conservative allies, the bill was defeated on the Senate floor. We stood against big corporate agriculture, ensuring protection for everyday Idahoans potentially harmed by pesticides.

But just like zombies, bad bills are hard to keep dead.

After SB1245 died on the Senate floor, House Bill 653 rose from its ashes. While still addressing pesticide regulations and warning labels, HB653 is less strict than SB1245 and still offers a loophole for pesticide companies. It states that EPA-approved labels are sufficient to warn about health risks, making it harder to hold companies like Bayer accountable for harm.

The bill was scheduled for a hearing in the House Business Committee but was abruptly removed from the agenda. We were aware of what was happening and are ready to oppose the bill again if needed.

We believe that Bayer sent its lobbyists to Idaho to test whether the legislation would be successful before spreading it to other states.

In the ongoing fight against undue corporate influence, the Idaho Freedom Caucus remains vigilant, ready to oppose any antics and keep bad bills, like zombies, from rising again.

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You can read more about the Bayer lawsuits here:

US appeals court finds Bayer not shielded from Roundup lawsuit

Bayer faces billions in Roundup claims as legal strategy falls short

Bayer Keeps Losing Roundup Trials, Making Future Lawsuits Stronger & Stronger

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Here are some ways you can help the Idaho Freedom Caucus:

Get to know these public members and support their work. Back Row, left to right: Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld–District 24; Rep. Tony Wisniewski–District 5; Rep. Joe Alfieri–District 4; Rep. Mike Kingsley–District 7; Rep. Dale Hawkins–District 2; Sen. Scott Herndon–District 1. Front Row, left to right: Rep. Jacyn Gallagher-District 9; Rep. Heather Scott (Co-Chair)–District 2; Rep. Elaine Price–District 4; Sen. Tammy Nichols (Co-Chair)–District 10; Sen. Brian Lenney–District 13; Sen. Cindy Carlson–District 7.

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Thanks for joining us in the fight to keep Idaho free. Idaho is worth defending!

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