Texas Legislation to watch – Beekeeping related

This year is a legislative session year in Texas – and several proposed bills would affect the beekeeping industry.    I’ll provide a brief synopsis and link to the bill info – and present my opinion as to whether I personally support the bill.   Some are in relation to honeybees and beekeeping as related to ag valuation of land in Texas.   Some is in relation to processing of honey…

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HB-4538     Kacal     https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB4538/2023

6-13-2023 – Signed by Governor
Relating to the regulation of beekeeping; imposing fees and authorizing other fees; expanding the applicability of an occupational permit.

Texas Agriculture code for beekeeping has needed an overhaul for a LONG time – and these changes are to keep up with (a) the culture of agriculture and ease of documenting various ag valuation processes.     It clarifies and rewords some sections, and codifies come equipment that is allowed as “beekeeping equipment” in relation to performing honeybee removals from structures.

Rex Smith and Harmony Hollow Apiary – SUPPORTS this bill.
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HB-2329     Bailes     https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB2329/2023

Postponed to March 2024 – Killed by a commercial beekeeper from Houston

Relating to honey production operations and the harvesting and packaging of honey and honeycomb.

Rex Smith and Harmony Hollow Apiary – SUPPORTS this bill.
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HB-2769      Meza / Flores     https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB2769/2023

5-5-2023 – Sent to Ag Affairs – Killed

Relating to the repeal of the permit requirement for the intrastate shipment of bees.

Rex Smith and Harmony Hollow Apiary – SUPPORTS this bill.

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HB-3857     Thimesch     https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB3857/2023
SB-1455      Paxton           https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB1455/2023

5-11-2023 – Referred to Local Govt. – Killed

Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land.    This twin set of bills allows an expanded definition to allowable ag activity for agriculture valuation.

Rex Smith and Harmony Hollow Apiary – SUPPORTS these 2 bills.

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HB-590       Bailes      https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB590/2023

3-30-2023 – Killed (passed to Ag affairs)

Relating to the labeling and sale of Texas honey.

Rex Smith and Harmony Hollow Apiary – DOES NOT SUPPORT this bill.

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HB-2684      Burns     https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB2684/2023

5-10-2023 – Killed – Referred to Transportation

Relating to the issuance of oversize or overweight permits for vehicles transporting agricultural commodities during or preceding a disaster.

Rex Smith and Harmony Hollow Apiary – remains NEUTRAL on this bill.

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SB-1892     Springer     https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB1892/2023

3-20-2023 – Killed – Referred to Local

Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land based on its use to raise or keep bees.    This bill defines density level of colonies on properties.   This is NOT realistic in much of Texas because of our greatly varied natural resources.   What may be fine in one region of Texas – can be WAY too many bees for the amount of natural forage in other counties/regions.   Each county should be able to set the density level and time on property – based on the available forage.

Rex Smith and Harmony Hollow Apiary – DOES NOT SUPPORT this bill.

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SB-2427     Zaffirini      https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB2427/2023

3-23-2023 – Killed – Referred to Local

Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land.

Rex Smith and Harmony Hollow Apiary – DOES NOT SUPPORT this bill.