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H.R. 4014

U.S. House•In House Committee

Summary

H.R. 4014, the Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act, was introduced in the House on Jun 13, 2025 by Rep. Zachary Nunn (R) with 3 co-sponsors. It was referred to Judiciary, and last saw action on Jun 13, 2025: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Record

Text

H.R. 4014 has 3 co-sponsors.

hb4014/introduced-in-house.txt
119 HR 4014 IH: Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-06-13
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 4014  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   June 13, 2025   Mr. Nunn of Iowa  (for himself and  Mr. Riley of New York ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on the Judiciary    A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for the reckless importation or handling of dangerous agricultural pathogens.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act  .
2.
Reckless importation of dangerous agricultural pathogens
Title 18 U.S.C. is amended by inserting after section 175b the following:
175c.
Reckless importation of dangerous agricultural pathogens.
(a)
Offense
Whoever knowingly or recklessly imports a biological agent, toxin, or organism—
(1)
without the required permit or authorization from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or other appropriate agency; and
(2)
where such agent, toxin, or organism is designated by regulation as a high-risk agricultural pathogen capable of causing significant harm to U.S. crops, livestock, or agricultural ecosystems,
 Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(b)
Aggravating factors
If the offense:
(1)
involves concealment of origin;
(2)
is committed by a person acting on behalf of, or funded by, a foreign government; or
(3)
results in actual economic damage exceeding $1,000,000;
 Then the term of imprisonment may be up to 20 years.
(c)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
the term  recklessly  means the person consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the pathogen could cause significant harm.
(2)
the term  high-risk agricultural pathogen  shall be defined by the Secretary of Agriculture and published via regulation.
 .

Tracker

The tracker indicates the progress of this legislation as it moves through the legislative process.

  1. Introduced2025-06-13
  2. Passed House
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Conference
  5. To President
  6. Became Law

To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for the reckless importation or handling of dangerous agricultural pathogens.

Sponsors

Rep. Zachary Nunn (R) sponsors H.R. 4014, and 3 members have co-sponsored it, 1 of them from the day it was introduced.

Committees

H.R. 4014 went before 1 committee: Judiciary.

Judiciary
Judiciary
Referred To · Jun 13, 2025 · 2,181 Bills

Actions

H.R. 4014 has taken 2 actions since Jun 13, 2025.

ChamberAction
Jun 13, 2025
House
Introduced in House
Jun 13, 2025
House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.Judiciary Committee

Votes

H.R. 4014 has not gone to a roll call.

Titles

H.R. 4014 goes by 3 titles, 1 of them short titles.

  • Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act — Display Title
  • Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act — Short Title(s) as Introduced
  • To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish criminal penalties for the reckless importation or handling of dangerous agricultural pathogens. — Official Title as Introduced

Classification

The Congressional Research Service files H.R. 4014 under Crime and Law Enforcement, one of its 31 policy areas.

CRS Subjects

CRS assigns every bill one policy area from its 31; H.R. 4014’s is Crime and Law Enforcement.

hr4014/policy-areas.txt
Crime and Law EnforcementAgriculture and FoodAnimalsArmed Forces and National SecurityArts, Culture, ReligionCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCommerceCongressEconomics and Public FinanceEducationEmergency ManagementEnergyEnvironmental ProtectionFamiliesFinance and Financial SectorForeign Trade and International FinanceGovernment Operations and PoliticsHealthHousing and Community DevelopmentImmigrationInternational AffairsLabor and EmploymentLawNative AmericansPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesScience, Technology, CommunicationsSocial WelfareSports and RecreationTaxationTransportation and Public WorksWater Resources Development

Constitutional authority

The clause the sponsor cites as Congress’s power to enact H.R. 4014, as entered in the Congressional Record.

[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 102 (Friday, June 13, 2025)][House]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. NUNN of Iowa:H.R. 4014.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted toCongress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the UnitedStates Constitution.[Page H2826]

Source: congress.gov · legiscan.com