H.B. No. 2271
AN ACT
relating to the protection of aquaculture operations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Section 2.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 2.007. POLICY: AQUACULTURE. (a) In this section,
"aquaculture" has the meaning assigned by Section 134.001.
(b) The agricultural policy of this state must recognize
that aquaculture is a type of agriculture and must be awarded the
same rights, privileges, and protections as any other type of
agricultural operation.
SECTION 2. Section 134.001(1), Agriculture Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(1) "Cultured species" means aquatic animals or plants
raised under conditions where at least a portion of their life cycle
is controlled by an aquaculturist.
SECTION 3. Section 251.002(1), Agriculture Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(1) "Agricultural operation" includes the following
activities:
(A) cultivating the soil;
(B) producing crops for human food, animal feed,
planting seed, or fiber;
(C) floriculture;
(D) viticulture;
(E) horticulture;
(F) silviculture;
(G) wildlife management;
(H) raising or keeping livestock or poultry;
[and]
(I) planting cover crops or leaving land idle for
the purpose of participating in any governmental program or normal
crop or livestock rotation procedure; and
(J) aquaculture.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2271 was passed by the House on May 3,
2023, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 3, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2271 was passed by the Senate on May
16, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor