Bill > HB1958

This bill adds a new section to the Texas Health and Safety Code that regulates how restaurants must label and represent shrimp. Specifically, the bill prohibits restaurants from labeling imported shrimp as "Texas shrimp," "American shrimp," "Domestic shrimp," or "Gulf shrimp," and prevents restaurants from describing farm-raised shrimp as "wild-caught shrimp." An imported shrimp is defined as one that does not meet United States country of origin requirements for shellfish. Enforcement will be conducted by departments of health, public health districts, counties, or municipalities that issue restaurant licenses, who can impose administrative penalties for violations. The bill provides an affirmative defense for restaurants that genuinely believed in good faith that their shrimp was not imported or farm-raised. The law does not apply to grocery stores, packaged food products, or other retail food establishments, and restaurants will not be required to comply until March 1, 2026. The bill emphasizes that it does not create a private cause of action or alter existing legal duties, and it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1958