Texas House Bill HB1825

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the sale or transportation of certain desert plants; creating an offense and providing penalties; providing authority to impose a fee.

Impact

The introduction of HB 1825 is expected to have significant implications for state agricultural laws, particularly concerning the regulation of plant sales. The bill necessitates the creation of compliance agreements between plant growers and the Department of Agriculture, compelling sellers to provide manifest documents that accompany transactions. This ensures proper tracking and verification, which could help mitigate illegal harvesting practices and promote sustainability for desert flora. Additionally, the legislation allows for the assessment of administrative penalties for violations, aiming to deter non-compliance.

Summary

House Bill 1825 relates to the sale and transportation of certain desert plants within Texas. This legislation seeks to regulate the handling of specific genera of desert plants including Agave, Ariocarpus, Echinocactus, and others. The bill defines key terms, outlines administrative responsibilities for the Department of Agriculture, and establishes requirements necessary for the sale or movement of these plants. A key feature of the bill is the emphasis on ensuring that the sources of the plants are well-documented and that any commercial purchaser is provided appropriate paperwork verifying their origin.

Contention

While supporters of the bill argue that it will protect valuable desert species and promote responsible commercial practices, there may be points of contention regarding the regulatory burden it places on small growers and nurseries. Critics might express concerns that the requirements for documentation could be overly complex and create challenges for those who depend on the trade of these plants for their livelihood. Furthermore, questions may arise about the adequacy of the enforcement mechanisms and whether they may inadvertently lead to legal penalties for uninformed or small-scale sellers.