The following responses are provided by the Rhode Island Division of Agriculture in regard to general questions about the Rhode Island State Seed Law.

RELATIONSHIP TO RUSSL:
- Does your state seed law model RUSSL?
Answer = YES, as much as possible.

PERMIT/LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state law have a permit/license requirement for seedsmen to distribute seeds in your state?
Answer = NO

ARBITRATION:
- Does your state offer "Seed Arbitration" as a part of your seed law, or as a separate law?
Answer = YES

PRE-EMPTION LEGISLATION:
- Does your state have “pre-emption” legislation to restrict local political subdivisions from regulating seed?
Answer = YES

BRAND LABELING:
- Does your law allow for "brand name" labeling?
Answer = YES

- How does your state handle seed coatings on your seed label?
Answer = Our law doesn't address seed coatings.

VARIETY LABELING:
- Does your state seed law require "mandatory" variety labeling for agricultural crop kinds?
Answer = NO

- Does your law allow for "variety not stated" labeling?
Answer = YES

- Does your law allow for "variety unknown" labeling?
Answer =YES

- Do you allow the use of the abbreviated term "VNS" to be used in place of the phrase "variety not stated"?
Answer = YES

- Does your state seed law allow labeling by "crop kind" only?
Answer = NO

- Does your state allow abbreviations on the seed label?
Answer = YES

TEST DATE:
- What is the "TEST DATE" requirement for agricultural and vegetable seeds in your state?
Answer = 9 months.

- What is the germination test date requirement for turf seeds in your state?
Answer = 9 months.

GMO REGULATIONS:
- Does your state law have any specific language regulating "GMOs"?
Answer = NO

- Does your state test for specific GMO varietal traits on official samples?
Answer = NO

UNIQUE (MISCELLANEOUS) REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state seed law have any "unique" or special requirements and/or prohibitions?
Answer = NO