PREFILED    JAN 04 2024

REFERENCE TITLE: cell-cultured animal product; prohibition

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

HB 2121

Introduced by

Representatives Marshall: Bliss, Cook, Gillette, Hendrix

An Act

amending title 3, chapter 13, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 6; RELATING to the sale of meat.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 3, chapter 13, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 6, to read:

ARTICLE 6. CELL-CULTURED ANIMAL PRODUCT

START_STATUTE3-2201. Cell-cultured animal product; prohibition; civil penalty; right of action; definition

A. A person may not offer to sell, sell or produce a cell-cultured animal product for human or animal consumption.

B. The department may impose a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 against a person that violates this section.

C. A person or organization whose business is adversely affected by a violation of this section may file a civil action for declaratory and injunctive relief and actual damages against the person that violates this section. If the plaintiff prevails in this action, the court shall award:

1. Reasonable attorney fees and costs.

2. The actual damages incurred, not to exceed $100,000.

D. For the purposes of this section, "cell-cultured animal product" means any cultured animal tissue that is produced from in vitro animal cell cultures outside of the organism from which it is derived.END_STATUTE

START_STATUTESec. 2. Legislative findings

The legislature finds:

1. The regulation of cell-cultured animal product is a matter of statewide concern necessary to protect public health.

2. This state's cattle ranching industry is integral to this state's history, culture, values and economy.

3. Cattle is one of the five foundational pillars that have driven this state's economy since territorial days.

4. The production and sale of lab-grown, cell-cultured animal product threatens to harm this state's trust land beneficiaries and the highest and best use of state trust land, which includes the lease of state lands to ranchers for livestock grazing to fund public schools and other public institutions.

5. This act is necessary to protect this state's sovereign interests, history, economy and food heritage. END_STATUTE