89R13253 MP-D
By: Louderback H.B. No. 3519
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a prohibition against the cultivation of castor beans;
creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 5, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
Subtitle I to read as follows:
SUBTITLE I. PROHIBITED HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS
CHAPTER 129. CASTOR BEANS
Sec. 129.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Castor bean" means the plant Ricinus communis and
any part of the plant, including the seeds, that contain the toxin
ricin.
(2) "Cultivate" includes plant, irrigate, grow, and
harvest.
Sec. 129.002. PROHIBITION ON CULTIVATION OF CASTOR BEANS.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person cultivates castor
beans for a commercial purpose.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.