MAXWELL, Iowa —

Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says he's ready to tackle agroterrorism in a new piece of legislation he'll introduce on Capitol Hill.

Nunn, who spoke exclusively to KCCI about the drafted bill, said it'll be called the "Plant Act."

The bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly or recklessly importing, transporting or possessing high-risk agricultural biological agents not authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Violators could face up to 20 years in prison.

"That is really to be able to establish the ability to help defend the type of agriculture that's grown here in the United States," Nunn said. "This is not a red or blue issue. This is a national security issue."

The bill also gives new tools to several government agencies to prevent agroterrorism.

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