February 12, 2025
Rep. Dell Kerbs, the bill author, stated that German company, Bayer, requested HB1755. (Bayer is running similar bills in at least six other red states.) Rep. Kerbs said: “The bill doesn’t stop lawsuits. You can still sue if you get cancer.”
Fact: This bill would block any claim that a pesticide was mislabeled. If you read the bill text, it is very clear that the EPA label is considered “legally sufficient” and those injured lose their right to sue—even if the company hid health risks. Bayer, ChemChina, and other pesticide companies have hid health risks for decades per court ordered internal documents. This bill gives them immunity for that deception.
Rep. Kerbs said: “This bill just stops ‘rogue’ judges from forcing new labels.”
Fact: Judges don’t create new labels. Juries simply hold companies accountable if they hide dangers. This bill removes that accountability and protects chemical companies from any blame.
Rep. Kerbs said: “Foreign companies don’t follow the same U.S. rules, and this bill protects American companies.”
Fact: Foreign companies do have to meet EPA standards to sell here. Bayer asked for this bill to get immunity, and Bayer is a foreign company. This also protects ChemChina, who is being sued in American courts by farmers sick with Parkinson’s disease. Both companies have been caught hiding data and lying about the safety of pesticides that harm families health.
Rep. Kerbs said: “EPA decides the label based on full scientific research.”
Fact: EPA does not do its own studies. EPA relies on data from the pesticide maker. Bayer and ChemChina have repeatedly hidden data about pesticide safety from the EPA. “EPA-approved” is not a guarantee of safety.
Rep. Kerbs said: “This bill protects farmers, not pesticide companies.”
Fact: This bill hurts farmers and their families. This takes away their right to hold chemical companies accountable when those companies lie about the dangers from their products.
HB1755 protects foreign chemical companies and puts Oklahomans right to hold them accountable at risk.
Please call Rep. Dell Kerbs and ask him to withdraw this bill. Phone: (405) 557-7345
In addition, call Rep. Brad Boles, the chair of the Energy committee, and ask him not to hear HB1755. Phone: 405-557-7405