Texas Senate Bill SB 2112

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/10/25
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/31/25
• Voted on by Senate: 4/9/25
• Out of House Committee: 5/10/25
• Voted on by House: 5/20/25
• Governor Action: 5/30/25

Caption

Relating to the punishment for certain criminal offenses related to cultivated oyster mariculture; increasing a criminal penalty.

Summary

SB 2112 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to increase criminal penalties for certain violations related to cultivated oyster mariculture. The bill covers two categories of offenses: violations of Section 75.0104(a) or 75.0106, and violations of rules adopted under the chapter governing oyster mariculture. Under the bill, a first offense under the statute-based provisions is a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor, but it becomes a Class A misdemeanor if the defendant has a prior conviction for the same type of offense within the previous five years. Violations of agency rules remain a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense, but rise to a Class B misdemeanor after two or more prior convictions within five years.

Impact

The bill changes Texas law by increasing the criminal consequences for noncompliance with cultivated oyster mariculture requirements, thereby strengthening enforcement of oyster farming regulations. It affects individuals and businesses engaged in oyster mariculture, as well as enforcement authorities under the Parks and Wildlife Code. The new penalty structure applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and prior conduct remains governed by existing law.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have received generally favorable legislative support, passing the Senate 28-2 and the House 110-36, with the House also recording two present-not-voting members. The vote margins suggest broad agreement on the need for stronger enforcement, though the House vote indicates more noticeable opposition than the Senate. No committee transcript was provided, so the available record shows support through passage rather than detailed debate.

Contention

The main point of contention is the decision to increase misdemeanor penalties for regulatory violations in the cultivated oyster mariculture sector. Supporters likely viewed the bill as a needed enforcement tool to ensure compliance with oyster farming rules and protect the regulatory framework, while opponents may have been concerned about harsher criminal penalties for what could be viewed as industry or administrative violations. The differing penalty levels for statute-based violations versus rule-based violations also suggest a policy judgment about the seriousness of the underlying conduct.