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Bill > AB93
WI AB93
WI AB93The distribution and labeling of fertilizers and soil or plant additives produced from manure. (FE)
summary
Introduced
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
In Committee
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill makes the following changes to requirements that apply to fertilizers and soil or plant additives that are produced from converting manure into compost or vermicompost and their derivatives: 1. The bill allows a person to distribute a fertilizer that is produced from converting manure into compost or vermicompost and their derivatives and that has a combined weight of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that is less than 24 percent of the total weight of the fertilizer. Current law requires a fertilizer distributed in this state to be guaranteed to contain a combined weight of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium that is at least 24 percent of the total weight of the fertilizer, unless either 1) the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection promulgates a rule exempting the fertilizer; or 2) DATCP grants a permit authorizing the distribution of the fertilizer as a nonagricultural or special- use fertilizer. 2. The bill also exempts a fertilizer that is produced from converting manure into compost from being required to contain a minimum amount of certain plant nutrients. Additionally, under the bill, a label, invoice, or statement accompanying fertilizer produced from converting manure into compost is allowed to represent the amount of plant nutrients or other beneficial substances contained in the fertilizer if the truthfulness of the representation is substantiated by a typical analysis or other scientifically validated analytical method. 3. Under the bill, DATCP may not require a controlled experimental field test to substantiate the efficacy and usefulness of a soil or plant additive produced from converting manure into compost. Under current law, DATCP may require the efficacy and usefulness of a soil or plant additive to be substantiated by controlled experimental studies using the soil or plant additive. 4. The bill allows the truthfulness of a statement on a permit application or label of a soil or plant additive produced from converting manure into compost to be substantiated by a typical analysis. Current law requires the label of a soil or plant additive to make a guarantee about the minimum amount of the substances that it contains. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill modifies regulations for fertilizers and soil additives produced from manure, specifically focusing on compost and vermicompost (a mixture of composted materials and worm castings). The bill allows for more flexible labeling and testing requirements for these types of fertilizers, particularly those with a combined nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content less than 24 percent. Key provisions include permitting labels to use "typical analysis" (an average-based analysis) instead of guaranteed analysis for reporting plant nutrients and beneficial substances, removing the requirement for controlled experimental field tests to prove the efficacy of compost-based soil or plant additives, and creating new definitions for terms like "beneficial substance" and "vermicompost". The bill aims to reduce regulatory barriers for distributing fertilizers made from manure conversion, allowing more scientific flexibility in labeling and substantiating the contents and benefits of these agricultural products. By introducing these changes, the legislation seeks to make it easier for producers to distribute compost-based fertilizers while still maintaining standards for accurate representation of the product's contents.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (6)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Lisa Subeck (D)*,
Ron Tusler (R)*,
André Jacque (R),
Last Action
Laid on the table (on 01/22/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab93 |
| AB93 ROCP for Committee on Agriculture | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/agriculture/1922810.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - AB93: Fiscal Estimate From DATCP | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab93/ab93_datcp.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB93.pdf |
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