Wichita ? Some farmers are concerned about a proposed state law that would require tighter rules for using large amounts of liquid fertilizers and other farm chemicals.

The Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Assn. has asked the Legislature to require all buyers of self-propelled equipment capable of carrying 200 or more gallons of liquid fertilizer or chemicals to register that equipment with the state.

The registration would provide the state with a list of people who should be monitored to ensure compliance with regulations on the handling and storage of chemicals and fertilizer.

The bill, Senate Bill 464, has drawn opposition from producer groups such as the Kansas Corn Growers and Kansas Sorghum Growers, whose members contend it is unnecessary over-regulation that would be expensive and burdensome to farmers.

“This bill would impact family farmers like me who are already complying with current regulations and labels and who are willing to learn more,” said Greg Shelor, president of Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Assn.

“The state already has a database of over 17,000 certified private applicators,” Shelor said. “Creating a second database of people with a certain size and type of application equipment is redundant and unnecessary.”

But Doug Wareham, a spokesman for the retailers association, said the biggest concern was responsible environmental stewardship.

“What we want is a way to make sure that the people who are operating bigger sprayers know what the regulations are regarding handling and storage,” he said.

Wareham said there had been an increase in the amount of big equipment that was being sold.