The Ohio Senate has passed SB150, which would require those who apply fertilizer on Ohio's farmlands to be certified to do so. The bill's intent is to educate producers on proper fertilizer application to help eliminate overapplication that results in heavy nutrient runoff that causes toxic algal blooms in waterways such as Grand Lake St. Marys.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously, and it will now be sent to the Ohio House of Representatives for approval. If approved, Ohio would become the first state in the nation to pass such legislation.
This Daily Standard article by Shelley Grieshop states that the vast majority of farmers in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed are already abiding by rules that would be enforced if the regulations are passed.
This Farm and Dairy article gives a more detailed overview of the bill.
Here is the bill in its entirety, as passed by the Ohio Senate.