FROM THE HILL


Legislative Session Closes with Preemption Bill Failing in Colorado House


NALP’S TOP PRIORITY AT THE STATE LEVEL IS MAINTAINING the preemption of local authority in pesticide regulation. By ensuring uniformity in pesticide regulations across municipal boundaries, we enable our members to operate and serve multiple communities without the challenge of navigating a constantly shifting and intricate mosaic of municipal regulations.


By Terence Stovall Manager of State and Local Affairs


This article was written on May 31, 2024. For the most current information, please contact the NALP Government Relations team.


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Colorado has seen intense battles over regulatory control in recent years, with increased pressure coming from environ- mental groups in favor of local control. This year, the legislative arena in Colorado witnessed the introduction of House Bill 1178, sponsored by Representative Cathy Kipp of Larimer County. Titled “Local Government Author- ity to Regulate Pesticides,” the bill aimed to grant municipalities the power to regulate pesti- cides within their boundaries, marking another chapter in the ongoing struggle over regulatory authority. The bill’s introduction in


February spurred immediate action, which swiftly landed the measure in the House Commit- tee on Energy and Environment, chaired by Representative Cathy Kipp. This strategic placement propelled Kipp to a leading role in the discussions surrounding the proposed legislation. In response, NALP and our members quickly mobilized, launching a powerful email campaign to urge Coloradan customers to support statewide uniformity in pesticide regula- tions. This coordinated effort aimed to empower constituents to voice their concerns directly to state representatives, highlight- ing the need for a consistent reg- ulatory framework. Despite the bill advancing out of committee with an 8-5 vote, the collective action of NALP members and their customers had a significant


40 The Edge //July/August 2024


impact. Over 250 constituent messages were sent to more than 50 house offices in just a few weeks, placing substantial pressure on key legislators to listen to their constituents and carefully consider the implica- tions of local control. Initially, the numbers sug-


gested that Kipp had enough support to push the bill through the House with a favorable vote. However, as messages from our members and their customers continued to pour in, we were able to flip some key votes in our favor as legislators signaled that they would vote in accordance with their constituent’s desires. Our advocacy remained stead- fast, bolstered by weekly mes- sages from constituent members strategically targeting offices that were wavering or undecided on the bill. This concerted effort proved effective, stalling the bill’s progression, and preventing it from advancing to a vote for two months after its referral to the House Floor in mid-March. Despite the bill being brought up for discussion, it was laid over until after the legislature adjourned signaling the defeat of the measure without a formal vote being taken. This outcome underscored the significant im- pact of our members’ persistent advocacy efforts in shaping the legislative landscape and preserving statewide uniformity in Colorado pesticide regulation. Our collective action demon- strated the power of coordinated


grassroots advocacy and its crucial role in influencing policy decisions. Furthermore, legislative battles


like this that occur yearly at the state level further highlight how important it is that state pesticide preemption language is included in the Farm Bill. As everyone is aware, securing statewide pesticide preemption through the Farm Bill remains one of our tier 1 issues, as doing so on the federal level would put an end to the continual attempts to weaken preemption at the state level. We would like to express


our profound gratitude to our in-state lobbyist, Sundari Kraft, whose tireless dedication and on-the-ground efforts played a pivotal role in our advocacy endeavors. Furthermore, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our Colorado members and allies, whose unwavering support and active engagement proved instrumental in the suc- cess of our grassroots advocacy initiatives. Their commitment to safeguarding statewide uniformity exemplifies the power of collective action and under- scores the vital role of grassroots advocacy in shaping policy outcomes. TE


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