Invasive species: noxious weeds: online marketplaces.

Agriculture Crime Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Irwin
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact amount of administrative penalties and remediation costs are not specified in the official text.

Stopping Noxious Weeds on Online Marketplaces

The bill prohibits online marketplaces from accepting payment for the delivery of noxious weeds within California and allows fines to be levied against violators.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits online marketplaces from accepting payment for delivering noxious weeds to addresses in California.
Allows the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to impose administrative penalties on online marketplaces that violate this prohibition.
Requires the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to seek reasonable costs associated with remediation caused by violations.

Who It Names or Affects

Online stores and platforms in California
People who buy plants or seeds through these websites

Terms To Know

noxious weed: A plant that can harm the environment, agriculture, or human health.
online marketplace: A website where people buy and sell goods and services.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify the amount of administrative penalties.
Only applies to online marketplaces, not physical stores or other sellers.
Requires no reimbursement from local agencies for costs related to this act.

Bill History

2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on AGRI.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on AGRI. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on AGRI. and P. & C.P.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2143, as amended, Irwin.
Invasive species: noxious weeds: online marketplaces.
Existing law designates the Department of Food and Agriculture as the lead department in noxious weed management and requires the department, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, to implement provisions relating to noxious weed management.
Existing law creates the Noxious Weed Management Account and requires moneys appropriated from the account for expenditure by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to be allocated for implementing provisions relating to noxious weed management and developing noxious weed control strategies, among other purposes.
Existing law prohibits a person from selling, distributing, or transporting into, or within, a weed-free area any seed of a noxious weed that the
Secretary of Food and Agriculture
secretary
has declared the area to be practically free from. Under existing law, a violation of certain provisions relating to plant quarantine and pest control is a misdemeanor.
This bill would prohibit an online marketplace, as defined, from accepting payment for a noxious weed for delivery to an address located in the state.
The bill would authorize the secretary to, in lieu of prosecution, levy an administrative penalty against an online marketplace that violates this prohibition and would authorize the secretary to seek all reasonable costs associated with remediating any damage caused by a violation of this prohibition. The bill would require all moneys collected pursuant to these provisions to be deposited into the Noxious Weed Management Account.
By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated
local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF