Senate Bill 546 Summary

• Requires distributors and retailers selling phosphorus-containing fertilizers (at least 0.67% by weight) for lawn use to provide customer materials developed by the state chemist covering best management practices, water quality impacts, how to identify phosphorus content, and information that phosphorus is often unnecessary for lawn health.

• Mandates retailers display an approval sign (11 inches by 17 inches, positioned 4-7 feet above floor) in plain language at fertilizer display locations explaining water quality problems, that phosphorus is often unnecessary, and how to identify phosphorus in products.

• Requires lawn care service providers using phosphorus-containing fertilizers to provide written educational materials approved by the state chemist to each customer with best management practices, water quality information, and notification that phosphorus is often unnecessary.

• Applies only to non-agricultural grass areas, excluding flower/vegetable gardens, pasture, cropland, trees, shrubs, sod farms, and agricultural/livestock land.

• Effective July 1, 2013.