Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act

Bill Number

H.R. 512

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-16: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-06-27T22:03:42Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act (H.R. 512) aims to create a dedicated fund financed by import duties on shrimp to improve the safety inspections of imported shrimp products and boost the consumption of domestically produced shrimp. This addresses concerns about contamination, forced labor, and illegal fishing in imports while supporting U.S. shrimp producers.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Fund: Creates the "Inspection and Consumption of Shrimp and Shrimp Products Fund" in the U.S. Treasury, starting in fiscal year 2026.
• Funding Source: The Treasury Secretary transfers 70% of duties collected on imports of shrimp and shrimp-containing products (under specific Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheadings, such as 0306.16.00 for frozen shrimp) from general revenues. These duties include countervailing duties (to offset foreign subsidies) and antidumping duties (to counter unfairly priced imports) under existing trade laws.
• Allocation of Funds:
• 50% to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), via the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Used for inspecting, testing, and sampling high-risk shrimp imports for unapproved antibiotics; conducting importer inspections; providing training and data analytics; and coordinating with agencies like the Department of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to block imports linked to forced labor (under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act) or illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing.
• 50% to the Department of Agriculture (USDA): Used to promote domestic shrimp consumption through purchases and marketing, as authorized under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (a law allowing USDA to support farm products).
• Fund Management: Amounts remain available until spent and must supplement (not replace) existing federal funding for similar activities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new mechanism to redirect a portion of import duties specifically toward shrimp safety and promotion, which was not previously earmarked in this way.
• Expands FDA's role in targeted shrimp inspections and inter-agency coordination on trade enforcement, building on but not altering core food safety laws like the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
• Enhances USDA's use of Section 32 funds by tying them to duty revenues, providing a dedicated stream for shrimp without changing the underlying purchase authority.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases resources for FDA and USDA to strengthen import oversight and domestic marketing, potentially reducing administrative burdens through better data sharing with Customs and Commerce. Treasury gains a structured transfer process.
• Citizens: Improves food safety by targeting antibiotic residues and unethical sourcing in shrimp imports, benefiting consumers with safer seafood options. Domestic shrimp promotion could lower prices or increase availability for U.S. buyers.
• International Relations: May heighten scrutiny on shrimp exports from countries facing U.S. duties (e.g., those with subsidies or dumping practices), pressuring foreign producers to comply with U.S. standards on labor and fishing. Could strain trade ties with major exporters like China, India, or Vietnam if enforcement blocks more shipments.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Domestic Shrimp Industry: U.S. producers and fishermen benefit from promotion funds, gaining a competitive edge against imports.
• Importers and Foreign Exporters: Face stricter inspections and potential duty-related funding for enforcement, which could raise costs or limit market access for non-compliant suppliers.
• Consumers: Gain from enhanced safety checks and encouraged domestic supply.
• Federal Agencies: FDA, USDA, Treasury, Customs and Border Protection, and Commerce see expanded roles and funding for shrimp-specific activities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces existing trade laws (e.g., Tariff Act of 1930) by repurposing duties without new taxes, ensuring compliance with appropriations rules. The "supplement not supplant" clause prevents undermining prior funding commitments.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's powers over commerce and taxation (Article I, Section 8), as it uses duty revenues for regulatory purposes without infringing on executive trade authority.
• Political: Supports U.S. agriculture and trade protectionism, particularly in shrimp-producing states like Louisiana (the bill's sponsor's home state). It ties food safety to broader issues like human rights (forced labor) and environmental concerns (illegal fishing), potentially influencing future trade negotiations or bipartisan support for seafood policy. No major controversies noted in the bill text itself.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-16: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-01-16: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act — issued 2025-01-16 — PDF (5 pages)