Relating to a prohibition on the offering for sale and the sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption; providing civil and criminal penalties.
SB 261 prohibits the sale and offering for sale of cell-cultured protein (food made by growing animal cells in a lab) for human consumption in Texas. It defines "cell-cultured protein" and adds it to existing prohibitions under the Health and Safety Code, making it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, or sell such products. The bill directly affects food producers, retailers, and restaurants selling cell-cultured meat or dairy alternatives within Texas. Violations carry civil and criminal penalties, though specific penalty amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This is a substantive policy change banning a new food category without exceptions for commercial sale.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Nov 12, 2024
Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
1 edit
·
Jun 20, 2025
MINOR
This bill was converted from a draft legislative version to the final enrolled version ready for signing. The substantive policy content regarding the prohibition and labeling of cell-cultured protein remains unchanged, though formatting was standardized and some editorial text was removed.
Scope change
No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the policy content is identical to the previous version.
TECHNICAL
Removed draft formatting markers and placeholder text, converting the document to final enrolled format with proper spacing and official signatures.
Floor votes · Senate May 12, 2025 · House May 25, 2025
How they voted
25–4
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
May 12, 2025
D
Democratic10
60% Yea
R
Republican20
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
57
Key actions
15
Committee
9
Amendments
7
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 28, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
May 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Health
lower
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
May 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
6 primary · 19 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Charles Perry
RRepublican
P
Gary VanDeaver
RRepublican
P
Jay Dean
RRepublican
P
Keith Bell
RRepublican
P
Stan Gerdes
RRepublican
P
Stan Kitzman
RRepublican
Co
Angelia Orr
RRepublican
Co
Ben Bumgarner
RRepublican
Co
Brad Buckley
RRepublican
Co
Carl Tepper
RRepublican
Co
Cody Harris
RRepublican
Co
Ellen Troxclair
RRepublican
Co
Hillary Hickland
RRepublican
Co
Joanne Shofner
RRepublican
Co
John McQueeney
RRepublican
Co
Katrina Pierson
RRepublican
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