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A 8926

Prohibits the practice of ikizukuri where seafood is prepared as sashimi while the fish is still alive

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Burke

Prohibits ikizukuri, banning serving sashimi from live fish to curb animal welfare concerns; impacts restaurants, suppliers, and state health regulators.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · A 8926

Summary of Bill A 8926 (2025)

What the bill would do

  • Prohibits the practice known as ikizukuri, where seafood is prepared as sashimi while the fish is still alive and moving. The bill would make this practice unlawful within the state.

Purpose and intent

  • The stated aim is to curb the use of a culinary practice that involves serving live seafood as sashimi, addressing animal welfare concerns associated with ikizukuri.

Key provisions (as indicated by title and summary)

  • Explicit prohibition: ikizukuri would be unlawful when preparing or serving sashimi from fish while alive.
  • The bill would specify enforcement, penalties, and any exemptions in the full text (not provided in the summary). Readers should consult the bill text for precise definitions and carve-outs, if any.

Who and what would be affected

  • Affected parties:
    • Seafood restaurants, sushi bars, and other dining establishments that serve sashimi.
    • Fish suppliers and seafood purveyors who source fish for ikizukuri-style preparations.
    • Consumers who seek sashimi but may be affected by changes in menu offerings.
    • Regulatory authorities, including the state Department of Health, responsible for enforcement.
  • The impact would primarily be on food service establishments that currently offer ikizukuri-style preparations and on the seafood supply chain that supports these offerings.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: July 16, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Health Committee (Assembly). The record shows the bill being referred to Health twice on the same date, which appears to be a clerical duplication rather than substantive action.
  • Next steps (in typical legislative process): The Health Committee would hold hearings and consider amendments, followed by potential floor votes in the Assembly. If advanced, the bill would move to the Senate for consideration and possible enactment, with any companion Senate bill likely receiving its own committee referrals.

Sponsorship

  • Primary sponsor: Patrick Burke.

Additional notes

  • The available summary does not include the full text, definitions, specific penalties, or any exemptions. For a complete understanding of how ikizukuri would be defined, what exceptions (if any) exist, and the enforcement framework, the full bill text should be reviewed.
  • The measure reflects ongoing legislative interest in animal welfare considerations within culinary practices and food-service regulation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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