2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE
January 16, 2009 - Introduced by Representatives Black, Bies, Jorgensen, Roys,
Tauchen, Clark, Hebl, Hraychuck, Mursau, Parisi, Berceau, Pocan,
Pope-Roberts, Knodl, Benedict, Dexter, Hilgenberg, Wood, Hintz, Mason,
Molepske, Van Roy, Hixson, Richards, Sherman, Smith, Hubler, Soletski,
Pasch, Ballweg, Lothian
and Spanbauer, cosponsored by Senators Miller,
Cowles, Holperin, Kreitlow, Lehman, Hansen, A. Lasee, Jauch, Hopper,
Risser, Sullivan, Wirch, Olsen, Erpenbach
and Lassa. Referred to
Committee on Natural Resources.
AB3,1,3 1An Act to create 94.643 of the statutes; relating to: restrictions on the use and
2sale of fertilizer containing phosphorus and other turf fertilizer and providing
3a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill generally prohibits the application of fertilizer that contains
phosphorus to lawns, golf courses, and other mowed grassy areas (turf). The
prohibition does not apply to land used for agricultural production. The prohibition
also does not apply to the use of manure that is mechanically dried, ground, or
pelletized, or to a finished sewage sludge product. The bill authorizes the use of
fertilizer that contains phosphorus to establish grass during the first growing
season. The bill also authorizes the application of fertilizer containing phosphorus
to an area if a soil test shows that the soil in the area is deficient in phosphorus. The
bill prohibits the application of fertilizer, manure that is mechanically dried, ground,
or pelletized, and finished sewage sludge product to turf when the ground is frozen.
The bill also prohibits the intentional application of turf fertilizer, manure that is
mechanically dried, ground, or pelletized, and finished sewage sludge product to an
impervious surface and requires a person who spills any of these substances onto an
impervious surface to immediately remove it.
This bill prohibits the retail sale of turf fertilizer containing phosphorus unless
the fertilizer is sold for one of the purposes for which it is authorized to be used. The
bill prohibits a retailer from displaying turf fertilizer that contains phosphorus, but

authorizes a retailer to post a sign stating that turf fertilizer containing phosphorus
is available upon request for the purposes for which the bill allows it to be used.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB3, s. 1 1Section 1. 94.643 of the statutes is created to read:
AB3,2,3 294.643 Restrictions on the use and sale of fertilizer containing
3phosphorus.
(1) Definitions. In this section:
AB3,2,64 (a) "Fertilizer" has the meaning given in s. 94.64 (1) (e), except that "fertilizer"
5does not include manipulated animal or vegetable manure or finished sewage sludge
6product.
AB3,2,87 (ag) "Finished sewage sludge product" has the meaning given in s. 94.64 (1)
8(fm).
AB3,2,109 (ar) "Manipulated" means treated by mechanical drying, grinding, or
10pelletizing.
AB3,2,1411 (b) "Turf" means land, including residential property, golf courses, and publicly
12owned land, that is planted in closely mowed, managed grass, except that "turf" does
13not include pasture, land used to grow grass for sod, or any other land used for
14agricultural production.
AB3,2,16 15(2) Restrictions on use. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no person may apply
16to turf fertilizer that is labeled as containing phosphorus.
AB3,2,1917 (b) 1. Paragraph (a) does not apply to a person who applies fertilizer in order
18to establish grass, using seed or sod, during the growing season in which the person
19began establishing the grass.
AB3,3,220 2. Paragraph (a) does not apply to a person who applies fertilizer to an area if
21the soil in the area is deficient in phosphorus, as shown by a soil test performed no

1more than 36 months before the application by a laboratory that is certified by the
2department to conduct tests for soil phosphorus.
AB3,3,43 (c) No person may apply fertilizer, manipulated animal or vegetable manure,
4or finished sewage sludge product to turf when the ground is frozen.
AB3,3,95 (d) No person may intentionally apply turf fertilizer, manipulated animal or
6vegetable manure, or finished sewage sludge product to an impervious surface. A
7person who accidentally applies turf fertilizer, manipulated animal or vegetable
8manure, or finished sewage sludge product to an impervious surface shall
9immediately remove it.
AB3,3,12 10(3) Restriction on sale. No person may sell at retail turf fertilizer that is
11labeled as containing phosphorus, except that a person may sell at retail turf
12fertilizer that is labeled as containing phosphorus for any of the following purposes:
AB3,3,1413 (a) For establishing grass, using seed or sod, during the growing season in
14which the purchaser began establishing the grass.
AB3,3,1715 (b) For application to an area if the soil in the area is deficient in phosphorus,
16as shown by a soil test performed no more than 36 months before the application by
17a laboratory that is certified by the department to conduct tests for soil phosphorus.
AB3,3,1918 (c) For application to pasture, land used to grow grass for sod, or any other land
19used for agricultural production.
AB3,3,23 20(4) Restriction on display. No person who sells fertilizer at retail may display
21turf fertilizer that is labeled as containing phosphorus. A person who sells fertilizer
22at retail may post a sign advising customers that turf fertilizer containing
23phosphorus is available upon request for uses permitted by sub. (2) (b).
AB3,4,3
1(5) Penalty. Any person who violates this section may be required to forfeit not
2more than $50 for a first violation and not less than $200 nor more than $500 for a
32nd or subsequent violation.
AB3, s. 2 4Section 2. Effective date.
AB3,4,65 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 12th month beginning after
6publication.
AB3,4,77 (End)
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