Introduced:
Jun 13, 2025
Policy Area:
Crime and Law Enforcement
Congress.gov:
Bill Statistics
3
Actions
2
Cosponsors
0
Summaries
1
Subjects
1
Text Versions
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Full Text
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Latest Action
Jun 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Actions (3)
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Type: IntroReferral
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H11100
Jun 13, 2025
Introduced in House
Type: IntroReferral
| Source: Library of Congress
| Code: Intro-H
Jun 13, 2025
Introduced in House
Type: IntroReferral
| Source: Library of Congress
| Code: 1000
Jun 13, 2025
Subjects (1)
Crime and Law Enforcement
(Policy Area)
Cosponsors (2)
(D-MD)
Aug 12, 2025
Aug 12, 2025
(D-NY)
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Full Bill Text
Length: 2,516 characters
Version: Introduced in House
Version Date: Jun 13, 2025
Last Updated: Nov 8, 2025 6:12 AM
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4014 Introduced in House
(IH) ]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4014
To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties
for the reckless importation or handling of dangerous agricultural
pathogens.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 13, 2025
Mr. Nunn of Iowa (for himself and Mr. Riley of New York) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties
for the reckless importation or handling of dangerous agricultural
pathogens.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4014 Introduced in House
(IH) ]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4014
To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties
for the reckless importation or handling of dangerous agricultural
pathogens.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 13, 2025
Mr. Nunn of Iowa (for himself and Mr. Riley of New York) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties
for the reckless importation or handling of dangerous agricultural
pathogens.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1.
This Act may be cited as the ``Preventing Lethal Agricultural and
National Threats
(PLANT) Act''.
SEC. 2.
Title 18 U.S.C. is amended by inserting after
section 175b the
following:
``
following:
``
``
Sec. 175c.
``
(a) Offense.--Whoever knowingly or recklessly imports a
biological agent, toxin, or organism--
``
(1) without the required permit or authorization from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture or other appropriate agency; and
``
(2) where such agent, toxin, or organism is designated by
regulation as a high-risk agricultural pathogen capable of
causing significant harm to U.S. crops, livestock, or
agricultural ecosystems,
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years,
or both.
``
(b) Aggravating Factors.--If the offense:
``
(1) involves concealment of origin;
``
(2) is committed by a person acting on behalf of, or
funded by, a foreign government; or
``
(3) results in actual economic damage exceeding
$1,000,000;
Then the term of imprisonment may be up to 20 years.
``
(c) === Definitions. ===
-In this section:
``
(1) the term `recklessly' means the person consciously
disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the
pathogen could cause significant harm.
``
(2) the term `high-risk agricultural pathogen' shall be
defined by the Secretary of Agriculture and published via
regulation.''.
<all>
(a) Offense.--Whoever knowingly or recklessly imports a
biological agent, toxin, or organism--
``
(1) without the required permit or authorization from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture or other appropriate agency; and
``
(2) where such agent, toxin, or organism is designated by
regulation as a high-risk agricultural pathogen capable of
causing significant harm to U.S. crops, livestock, or
agricultural ecosystems,
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years,
or both.
``
(b) Aggravating Factors.--If the offense:
``
(1) involves concealment of origin;
``
(2) is committed by a person acting on behalf of, or
funded by, a foreign government; or
``
(3) results in actual economic damage exceeding
$1,000,000;
Then the term of imprisonment may be up to 20 years.
``
(c) === Definitions. ===
-In this section:
``
(1) the term `recklessly' means the person consciously
disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the
pathogen could cause significant harm.
``
(2) the term `high-risk agricultural pathogen' shall be
defined by the Secretary of Agriculture and published via
regulation.''.
<all>