Tag Archives: Senate Bill 823
Texas Shrimpers Welcome Season with Boost from New State Law
With anticipation building along the Gulf Coast, the commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico officially opens July 15. At the Port of Brownsville, the Texas Shrimp Association has an added reason to celebrate. After years of facing a flood of cheap, foreign shrimp imports, Texas shrimpers recently received support from state lawmakers. During the 89th legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 823 requiring food service suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors in Texas to label whether the shrimp they sell is imported. The bill, which will go into effect September 1, 2025, also prohibits restaurants from misrepresenting imported shrimp as domestic, Gulf, American, or Texas-caught. Restaurants found violating the law could face administrative penalties issued by local or state health departments. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:43
Southeast Texas shrimpers celebrate new laws for import transparency
Texas shrimpers are celebrating two key legislative victories they say will level the playing field against foreign imports that have long undercut their industry.two key legislative victories signed two measures this session aimed at cracking down on imported shrimp. One of the new laws, Senate Bill 823, will require restaurants to label where their shrimp comes from. The other, House Concurrent Resolution 76, is headed to President Donald Trump’s desk, asking the federal government for additional oversight and regulation. For shrimpers like Tricia Kimball of the Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association, the new laws mark progress in an ongoing battle to keep the industry afloat. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:54
Port Arthur Shrimper struggles continue with Legislative wins
The Texas Legislative session has ended and with it the passage of Senate Bill 823 and House Concurrent Resolution 76, both bills aimed at helping Gulf area shrimpers. Unfortunately, the problems still persist. Tricia and Kyle Kimball, leaders of the Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association, have traveled various times to Austin to be a part of the legislative process to help shrimpers in SETX, as they have continued to have various issues competing with various countries importing large amounts of shrimp into the United States. “It’s not just about the shrimpers; there are all the supplies that go on the vessels, like nets and other equipment,” said Tricia Kimball. “Shrimpers buy diesel fuel, often thousands of gallons at a time. They have to stock groceries for the crew, and they employ deckhands. There are all sorts of other industries that support shrimping, and many of them are struggling too, or have disappeared entirely from the area.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:53
Shrimp labeling transparency bill headed to Gov. Abbott’s desk
A bill prioritizing imported shrimp labeling transparency is headed to the governor’s desk after it cleared a final House vote in the waning days of this legislative session. Senate Bill 823 ensures that shrimp sold in Texas by a food service supplier, wholesaler or distributor include a “clear and conspicuous” label stating whether the shrimp is imported. Under the legislation, a restaurant can’t label or represent imported shrimp as “Texas shrimp,” “American shrimp,” “Domestic shrimp,” or “Gulf shrimp.” “Gulf shrimp is a key part of the state’s coastal economy,” Middleton said. “Shrimping is a struggling industry because we are being flooded with cheap, poor-quality, overseas imports. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:41
Texas lawmakers advance bills to protect local shrimp industry
Texas shrimpers are celebrating a legislative victory after two bills aimed at curbing the misleading labeling and market dominance of imported shrimp cleared both chambers at the state Capitol. Senate Bill 823 is now headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. If signed into law, it would prohibit restaurants from labeling shrimp as “Texas” or “Gulf” shrimp if the seafood is actually imported. Tricia Kimball, vice president of the Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association, Kimball said that study showed that 60% of shrimp labeled as Texas or Gulf shrimp, weren’t. Video, more, >> CLICK TO EEAD<< 19:43
