SB 1484 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the marketing and sale of catfish and similar fish by food service establishments, food service suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors; providing administrative and civil penalties.

SB 1484 prevents restaurants and food sellers from mislabeling non-catfish fish as catfish. It specifically prohibits calling basa, tra, or swai (fish similar to catfish but not true catfish) "catfish" and requires clear labeling of the actual species and country of origin for those products. The law applies to restaurants, food suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors. Violations could result in administrative penalties for misleading consumers about fish products.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action May 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 7 edits · Apr 9, 2025
MODERATE
This bill was substantially rewritten to expand its scope beyond just food service establishments to include suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors. The penalties were changed from fixed amounts based on sales volume to a system where the penalty amount is determined by the seriousness of the violation. New definitions were added for various seafood industry roles, and an affirmative defense was created allowing businesses to avoid penalties if they can prove they genuinely believed the fish was catfish.
Scope change
The bill now applies to a broader range of entities in the seafood supply chain, including food service suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors, in addition to food service establishments.
SCOPE

Expanded applicability from only food service establishments to include food service suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Distributor', 'Food service supplier', 'Wholesale distributor', and 'Wholesaler' to clarify the roles covered by the bill.

REQUIREMENT

Changed requirements for non-catfish products to mandate identification of the fish species and country of origin on packaging or containers for suppliers and distributors.

Added requirement for suppliers and distributors to conspicuously identify the species and country of origin of fish similar to catfish on product packaging or containers.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaced fixed penalty amounts based on sales volume with a system where penalties are determined based on the seriousness of the violation.

Added an affirmative defense allowing businesses to avoid penalties if they can demonstrate they genuinely believed the fish was catfish.

Added a new section clarifying that administrative and civil penalties are not cumulative for the same violation.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
39
Key actions
11
Committee
12
May 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors