A bill to provide farmers and landowners with more accurate information about agricultural lime is one step from final passage. 

SB 190 by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, passed the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Thursday. The measure previously passed the Senate. The companion bill, HB 155 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, has passed the full House of Representatives and is poised to clear the Senate Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Committee following the spring recess.

The legislation would require lime to be labeled with its relative neutralizing value. Supporters say the additional information would help farmers improve efficiency when applying the soil amendment. The bills define relative neutralizing value based on the calculation of calcium carbonate equivalent in relation to the percent of lime passing through certain size mesh screens.

Currently, there’s no standard for the quality of lime sold in Alabama. The legislations is supported by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.