Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4014

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-05-12T08:06:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act aims to protect U.S. agriculture by creating criminal penalties for the reckless or knowing importation of dangerous biological agents, toxins, or organisms that could harm crops, livestock, or ecosystems. It seeks to prevent potential threats to food security and the economy by regulating high-risk imports.

Key Provisions

• Offense Definition: It is a crime to knowingly or recklessly import a biological agent, toxin, or organism without a required permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or another appropriate agency, if the item is designated as a "high-risk agricultural pathogen" (a term defined by USDA regulations as something capable of causing significant harm to U.S. agriculture).
• Standard Penalties: Offenders face a fine, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.
• Aggravating Factors and Enhanced Penalties: Penalties increase to up to 20 years imprisonment if the offense involves:
• Concealing the origin of the pathogen.
• Being committed on behalf of or funded by a foreign government.
• Causing actual economic damage exceeding $1 million.
• Key Definitions:
• "Recklessly" means consciously ignoring a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the pathogen could cause harm.
• "High-risk agricultural pathogen" is determined and listed by the Secretary of Agriculture through formal regulations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code (the federal criminal code) by adding a new section (175c) focused specifically on agricultural pathogens. Previously, laws like the Patriot Act (sections 175 and 175b) addressed biological weapons and select agents more broadly, but this introduces targeted penalties for reckless importation of agriculture-specific threats, filling a gap in protections for non-weaponized but harmful biological imports.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The USDA gains authority to define and regulate high-risk pathogens, potentially increasing enforcement responsibilities, inspections, and coordination with agencies like Customs and Border Protection. This could lead to more resources needed for permitting and monitoring imports.
• On Citizens and Businesses: Importers, researchers, and agricultural businesses handling biological materials face stricter compliance requirements and higher risks of criminal prosecution for errors or oversights, which may raise costs for legitimate operations but enhance overall biosecurity.
• On International Relations: The law could strain trade with countries exporting agricultural products if it leads to heightened scrutiny of imports, potentially affecting diplomatic ties or prompting retaliatory measures from foreign governments accused of involvement.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Agricultural Sector: Farmers, ranchers, and food producers benefit from reduced risks to crops and livestock but may face indirect costs from supply chain disruptions.
• Importers and Researchers: Individuals or companies importing biological materials (e.g., for labs or farming) are directly regulated and at risk of penalties.
• Government Entities: USDA and law enforcement agencies (e.g., FBI, DOJ) will enforce the law, while border agencies handle import checks.
• Foreign Governments and Entities: Those funding or directing violations could face U.S. sanctions or diplomatic fallout.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes a new federal crime with clear intent and recklessness standards, potentially expanding prosecutorial tools under criminal law while relying on USDA regulations for specificity (which must follow administrative procedures to avoid challenges). It aligns with existing biosecurity frameworks but could invite lawsuits over vague definitions like "reckless" if not clearly applied.
• Constitutional: Raises no major issues, as it regulates interstate and international commerce under Congress's commerce clause powers, but penalties for foreign-linked actions might intersect with free speech or due process if evidence of "funding" is contested.
• Political: Bolsters national security rhetoric around agriculture amid concerns like bioterrorism or foreign interference, potentially gaining bipartisan support in farm states, but could be criticized for overreach in trade or research if it burdens innovation without sufficient safeguards.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-06-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act — issued 2025-06-13 — PDF (3 pages)