HB 2121 is a proposed bill that seeks to prohibit the sale of cell-cultured animal products for human or animal consumption in Arizona. The bill defines "cell-cultured animal product" as any cultured animal tissue produced from in vitro animal cell cultures outside of the organism from which it is derived. The bill would allow the Arizona Department of Agriculture to impose a civil penalty of up to $25,000 against anyone who violates this prohibition. Additionally, it would permit individuals or organizations whose business is adversely affected by a violation to file a civil action for relief and actual damages, with a cap of $100,000 on damages awarded.
The bill also includes legislative findings that emphasize the importance of the cattle ranching industry to Arizona's history, culture, economy, and state trust lands. It asserts that the regulation of cell-cultured animal products is a matter of statewide concern necessary to protect public health and that the production and sale of lab-grown, cell-cultured animal products threaten to harm the state's trust land beneficiaries and the highest and best use of state trust land. The bill positions itself as necessary to protect Arizona's sovereign interests, history, economy, and food heritage.