The bill, S.B. No. 1484, introduces new regulations regarding the marketing and sale of catfish and similar fish by food service establishments, suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors in Texas. It adds a new Subchapter J to Chapter 436 of the Health and Safety Code, which includes definitions for terms such as "catfish," "distributor," "food service establishment," "food service supplier," "wholesaler," and "wholesale distributor." The bill stipulates that these entities may only label a product as catfish if it contains actual catfish and not any similar species. Additionally, it mandates that any product containing fish similar to catfish must clearly identify the species and country of origin on its packaging.

The bill also establishes administrative and civil penalties for violations of these regulations. It allows public health authorities to impose administrative penalties based on the severity of the violation, with each day of non-compliance counting as a separate violation. Furthermore, it provides an affirmative defense for establishments that can demonstrate they believed in good faith that the fish they sold was catfish. The penalties are not cumulative, meaning a violator can face either an administrative or civil penalty, but not both for the same conduct. The provisions of this act will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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