BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 261 89R14206 SRA-D By: Perry Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs 3/28/2025 Committee Report (Substituted) AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Cell-cultured protein is made by harvesting animal cells and growing them in a bioreactor to produce tissue-based food products. The United States is one of only three countries that allow the sale of cell-cultured meat. However, multiple states have banned or considered banning its use. The introduction of lab-grown meat could disrupt traditional livestock markets, affecting rural economies and family farms. There are concerns over transparency in labeling, risk of contamination, and the long-term health impacts of consuming cell-cultured products. S.B. 261 would prohibit the production and sale of cell-cultured protein products within Texas to protect consumers and support traditional agriculture. As proposed, S.B. 261 amends current law relating to the prohibited manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offer for sale, and sale of cell-cultured protein. (Original Author/Sponsor's Statement of Intent) C.S.S.B. 261 amends current law relating to the prohibited manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offering for sale, and sale of cell-cultured protein. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 9 of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 431.002, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subdivision (5-a) to define "cell-cultured protein." SECTION 2. Amends Section 431.021, Health and Safety Code, to provide that certain acts and the causing of certain acts within this state are unlawful and prohibited, including the manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offering for sale, or sale of cell-cultured protein, and to make nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 3. Amends Section 431.0211, Health and Safety Code, as follows: Sec. 431.0211. New heading: EXCEPTIONS. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes. (b) Provides that Section 431.021(ll) (relating to providing that the manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offering for sale or sale of cell-cultured protein is prohibited in this state) does not apply to scientific research using or regarding cell-cultured protein conducted by or at an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, provided that the research does not further or relate to the sale or distribution of cell-cultured protein for human consumption in this state. SECTION 4. Amends Sections 431.0805(4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10), Health and Safety Code, to redefine "egg," "egg product," "fish," "meat," "meat food product," "poultry," and "poultry product." SECTION 5. Amends Section 431.081, Health and Safety Code, to require that food be deemed to be adulterated in certain circumstances, including if it contains, in whole or in part, cell-cultured protein, and to make nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 6. Amends Section 433.0415, Health and Safety Code, as follows: Sec. 433.0415. New heading: LABELING CELL-CULTURED PROTEIN. (a) Defines "cell-cultured protein." Deletes existing definition of "cell-cultured product." (b)-(c) Makes conforming changes to these subsections. SECTION 7. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 433, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 433.057, as follows: Sec. 433.057. PROHIBITION ON CELL-CULTURED PROTEIN. (a) Defines "cell-cultured protein." (b) Prohibits a person from manufacturing, processing, possessing, distributing, offering for sale, or selling cell-cultured protein. (c) Provides that this section does not prohibit scientific research using or regarding cell-cultured protein conducted by or at an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, provided that the research does not further or relate to the sale or distribution of cell-cultured protein for human consumption in this state. (d) Provides that, to the extent another state law conflicts with this section, this section controls. SECTION 8. Repealer: Section 431.0805(2) (relating to defining "cell-cultured product"), Health and Safety Code. SECTION 9. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt any rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act. SECTION 10. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 261
89R14206 SRA-D By: Perry
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
3/28/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.S.B. 261
89R14206 SRA-D
By: Perry
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
3/28/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Cell-cultured protein is made by harvesting animal cells and growing them in a bioreactor to produce tissue-based food products.
The United States is one of only three countries that allow the sale of cell-cultured meat. However, multiple states have banned or considered banning its use.
The introduction of lab-grown meat could disrupt traditional livestock markets, affecting rural economies and family farms. There are concerns over transparency in labeling, risk of contamination, and the long-term health impacts of consuming cell-cultured products.
S.B. 261 would prohibit the production and sale of cell-cultured protein products within Texas to protect consumers and support traditional agriculture.
As proposed, S.B. 261 amends current law relating to the prohibited manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offer for sale, and sale of cell-cultured protein.
(Original Author/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)
C.S.S.B. 261 amends current law relating to the prohibited manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offering for sale, and sale of cell-cultured protein.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 9 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 431.002, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subdivision (5-a) to define "cell-cultured protein."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 431.021, Health and Safety Code, to provide that certain acts and the causing of certain acts within this state are unlawful and prohibited, including the manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offering for sale, or sale of cell-cultured protein, and to make nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 431.0211, Health and Safety Code, as follows:
Sec. 431.0211. New heading: EXCEPTIONS. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes.
(b) Provides that Section 431.021(ll) (relating to providing that the manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offering for sale or sale of cell-cultured protein is prohibited in this state) does not apply to scientific research using or regarding cell-cultured protein conducted by or at an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, provided that the research does not further or relate to the sale or distribution of cell-cultured protein for human consumption in this state.
SECTION 4. Amends Sections 431.0805(4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10), Health and Safety Code, to redefine "egg," "egg product," "fish," "meat," "meat food product," "poultry," and "poultry product."
SECTION 5. Amends Section 431.081, Health and Safety Code, to require that food be deemed to be adulterated in certain circumstances, including if it contains, in whole or in part, cell-cultured protein, and to make nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 433.0415, Health and Safety Code, as follows:
Sec. 433.0415. New heading: LABELING CELL-CULTURED PROTEIN. (a) Defines "cell-cultured protein." Deletes existing definition of "cell-cultured product."
(b)-(c) Makes conforming changes to these subsections.
SECTION 7. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 433, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 433.057, as follows:
Sec. 433.057. PROHIBITION ON CELL-CULTURED PROTEIN. (a) Defines "cell-cultured protein."
(b) Prohibits a person from manufacturing, processing, possessing, distributing, offering for sale, or selling cell-cultured protein.
(c) Provides that this section does not prohibit scientific research using or regarding cell-cultured protein conducted by or at an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, provided that the research does not further or relate to the sale or distribution of cell-cultured protein for human consumption in this state.
(d) Provides that, to the extent another state law conflicts with this section, this section controls.
SECTION 8. Repealer: Section 431.0805(2) (relating to defining "cell-cultured product"), Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 9. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt any rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 10. Effective date: September 1, 2025.