Bill > S2804

This bill establishes new procedural requirements for the U.S. Department of the Interior when detaining plant imports suspected of violating the Lacey Act, which regulates the trade of wildlife, fish, and plants. The bill requires that within 5 days of a plant's presentation for examination, the Secretary of the Interior must either release the plants or issue a detailed detention notice to the importer, which must specify the reasons for detention, anticipated length of detention, types of tests to be conducted, and information that could expedite the process. The bill mandates that importers must be provided with test results and sufficient information to replicate those tests. If plants are detained, importers can request transportation of the plants to an alternate location by providing a bond and paying associated fees, provided this does not frustrate the intent of the Lacey Act. The Secretary must make a final determination about the plant's admissibility within 30 days, and if they fail to do so, the plants will be considered excluded. Importers have the right to protest exclusion decisions and can seek court intervention if necessary. The bill also requires the Secretary to develop implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment, with the overall goal of creating a more transparent and efficient process for handling potentially illegal plant imports.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2804/all-info