Sponsors (4)
The bill strengthens agricultural biosecurity by criminalizing unpermitted imports of designated high‑risk pathogens and granting USDA rulemaking power, but it increases legal risks and uncertainty for legitimate researchers and importers and could create diplomatic and litigation complications.
Farmers and rural communities will have lower risk of agricultural outbreaks because the bill criminalizes unpermitted importation of designated high‑risk pathogens, aiming to protect U.S. crops and livestock.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gains explicit authority to identify and regulate 'high‑risk agricultural pathogens' through rulemaking, enabling targeted prevention and quicker administrative response to emerging threats.
The bill increases deterrence for high‑impact misconduct by adding aggravated criminal penalties when importers conceal activity, act on behalf of or are funded by a foreign government, or cause over $1,000,000 in economic damage.
Scientists, researchers, and small biological‑materials businesses could face felony liability if regulatory definitions are broad or permits are difficult to obtain, potentially chilling legitimate research and trade.
Delegating the definition of covered pathogens to the Secretary of Agriculture creates broad agency discretion and legal uncertainty about what triggers criminal liability, complicating compliance for importers and researchers.
Treating actions 'on behalf of or funded by a foreign government' as an aggravating factor could complicate prosecutions and raise diplomatic concerns if applied broadly or ambiguously.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes it a federal crime to knowingly or recklessly import biological agents designated as "high-risk agricultural pathogens" without required USDA or other agency authorization.
Introduced June 13, 2025 by Zach Nunn · Last progress June 13, 2025
Creates a new federal crime to stop people from importing biological agents, toxins, or organisms that the Secretary of Agriculture designates as “high-risk agricultural pathogens” without the proper USDA or other agency permit or authorization. The bill makes it illegal to act knowingly or recklessly, defines recklessness, and lists factors that can increase punishment if the import involved concealment, foreign government ties, or caused more than $1,000,000 in economic harm. The law directs the Secretary of Agriculture to define and publish which agents count as high-risk agricultural pathogens by regulation. It does not provide new funding, change taxes, or create programs; it adds a criminal enforcement tool and definitions for use by prosecutors and regulatory agencies.