Federal Seed Act Amendments of 1982
PL 97-439 (H.R.7005), enacted 01/08/1983

PUBLIC LAW 97-439—JAN. 8, 1983 
96 STAT. 2287 
Public Law 97-439 
97th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Federal Seed Act with respect to prohibitions relating to interstate 
j^j^ g i^g^ 
commerce in seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf purposes and prohibitions 
relating to importation of certain seeds, and for other purposes. 
[H.R. 7005] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
Federal Seed Act 
Amendments of 
SHORT TITLE 
1982. 
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "Federal Seed Act 7 use i55i note. 
Amendments of 1982". 
LAWN AND TURF SEED 
SEC. 2. (a) The matter preceding clause (1) of section 201(a) of the 
Federal Seed Act (7 U.S.C. 1571(a)) is amended by striking out 
", except as provided in paragraph (j) of this section for seed mix-
tures intended for lawn and turf purposes,". 
(b) Section 201(a)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1571(a)(1)) is amended 
b y -
(1) inserting "(A), except with respect to seed mixtures 
intended for lawn and turf purposes," after "Provided, That"; 
(2) striking out ": And provided further. That", and inserting 
in lieu thereof ", (B)"; and 
(3) inserting before the semicolon at the end thereof the 
following: ", and (C) seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf 
purposes shall be designated as a mixture on the label and each 
seed component shall be listed on the label in the order of 
predominance". 
(c) Section 201(j) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1571(j)) is repealed. 
SEED MIXTURE TEST DATES 
SEC. 3. Section 201(aX8) of the Federal Seed Act (7 U.S.C. 
1571(a)(8)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end 
thereof the following: ", except that, in the case of a seed mixture, it 
is only necessary to state the calendar month and year of such test 
for the kind or variety or t5rpe of agricultural seed contained in such 
mixture which has the oldest calendar month and year test date 
among the tests conducted on all the kinds or varieties or types of 
agricultural seed contained in such mixture". 
PERIOD BETWEEN GERMINATION TEST AND TRANSPORTATION 
SEC. 4. Section 201(c) of the Federal Seed Act (7 U.S.C. 1571(c)) is 
amended by— 
(1) striking out "(a)" and inserting "(1)" in lieu thereof; 
(2) striking out "(b)" and inserting "(2)" in lieu thereof; 
96 STAT. 2288 
PUBLIC LAW 97-439—JAN. 8, 1983 
(3) inserting "(A)" after "which*' in clause (2) as redesignated 
by this section; and 
(4) adding before the period at the end thereof the following: 
"; or (B) the Secretary finds will maintain a percentage of 
germination within the limits of tolerance established under 
this Act under ordinaiy conditions of handling". 
PROHIBITIONS RELATING TO IMPORTATION 
SEC. 5. (aXD Section lOKaXS) of the Federal Seed Act (7 U.S.C. 
1561(aX8)) is amended by— 
(A) striking out subparagraph (B); 
(B) striking out "(A)"; 
(O striking out "(i)" and inserting in lieu thereof "(Af*; and 
(D) striking out ' W and inserdng in lieu thereof "(B)". 
(2) Section 101(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1561(a)) is amended by 
striking out paragraph (17) and redesignating paragraphs (18) 
through (25) as paragraphs (17) through (24), respectively. 
(bXD Section SOKaXD of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1581(aXl)) is amended 
by striking out "any seed containing 10 per centum or more of any 
agricultural or vegetable seeds if any such seed is adulterated or 
unfit for seeding purposes" and inserting in lieu thereof "any 
agricultural or vegetable seeds if any such seed contains noxious-
weed seeds" 
(2) Section 302(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1582(a)) is amended by 
striking out the second sentence. 
(3) Section 302(d) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1582(d)) is amended by— 
(A) striking out "that is adulterated or unfit for seeding 
purposes" in the matter preceding clause (1); and 
(B) striking out clause (3). 
(4) Sections 303 and 304 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1583 and 1584) are 
repealed and sections 305 and 306 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1585 and 
1£^) are redesignated as sections 303 and 304» respectively. 
Approved January 8, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 7005: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 97-877 (Comm. on Agriculture). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 128 (1982): 
Sept. 28, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 20, considered and passed Senate.