2025 Texas Legislation to watch

12-11-2024 :  Legislation that may affect beekeeping and associated agriculture operations in Texas during their 89th Legislature session:

Searches in Legiscan were for keywords:   Honey, Bees, Honeybees

https://legiscan.com/gaits/search – Specify Texas as your state and if asked – 89th Legislature.

• HB 519 –  ( Mary Gonzales – D )   Defines honeybee producer of honey operation.  Defines that local governments cannot require further regulation.    This is for pure honey and honeycomb that has NOT been further adulterated (other ingredients or flavorings).   This keeps honey production as a “raw agricultural commodity” and is in line with FDA rulings.
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB519/2025 – 2025-04-02 – Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar
  

• SB 1360 – (Lois Kolkhorst – R )  Relating to the labeling and sale of Texas honey.  Specifies that a label may not claim “Texas”, “Local”, etc, unless it consists ENTIRELY from apiaries located in Texas and at least 75% of its nectar derived from plants in Texas.  Also specifies that Texas Dept of State Health Services shall enforce and have a 90-day suspension of Mfg License if violated.
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB1360/2025 – 2025-03-06 – Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
• Harmony Hollow – Neutral on this issue at this time – But in general supports this.

• HB 3522 – (Janis Holt R )  Relating to the labeling and sale of Texas honey.  Specifies that a label may not claim “Texas”, unless it is ENTIRELY from apiaries located in Texas.   No enforcement is specified.
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB3522/2025 – 2025-03-24 – Referred to Agriculture & Livestock
• Harmony Hollow – Neutral on this issue at this time – But in general supports this.

• HB 2930 – ( Brent Money – R )  Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land.  Adds fruits & vegetables to agriculture use of the land as well as organic and/or uncommon ag use of land ; calls for appraiser to consult with A&M Extension offices; Establishes that a consultation of knowledged people define the degree of intensity AND RECORDKEEPING  for ag practices;
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB2930/2025 – 2025-03-19 – Referred to s/c on Property Tax Appraisals by Speaker
• Harmony Hollow – Neutral on this issue at this time – But in general supports this.

• HB 552 –  ( Mary Gonzales – D )   Relating to a study by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to determine standards for the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of certain agricultural land used to raise or keep bees.
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB552/2025 – 2025-04-03 – Reported from s/c favorably with substitute
• Harmony Hollow – SUPPORTS this legislation

• HB 1437 –  ( Mary Gonzales – D )   Relating to the task force on pollinator health.   Defines the team for this task force – as well as their mission.
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB1437/2025 – 2025-04-02 – Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar
• Harmony Hollow – SUPPORTS this legislation

• SB 497 – ( Kevin Sparks – R )  Allows DURING A TIME OF DECLARED EMERGENCY – and via ISSUED PERMIT – vehicles to use red dyed fuel (that is not taxed) during the time of declared emergency – and in the area of the emergency declaration.   Dyed sales of fuel need to be documented.   Operation of normally off-road or equipment not meant for on-road use – must be done in a manner to prevent damage to the roadways.
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB497/2025 – 2025-02-04 – Co-author authorized
• Harmony Hollow – Neutral on this issue at this time

• HB 2118 – ( Briscoe Cain – R ) Relating to the issuance of oversize or overweight permits for vehicles transporting agricultural commodities during or preceding a disaster.
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB2118/2025 2025-03-25 – Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
• Harmony Hollow – Neutral on this issue at this time

• HB 1113 – ( Briscoe Cain – R )  Allows for hemp to be added to Agricultural products and commodities in Texas – and allows for places of higher education to apply for a permit for research on hemp.
• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB1113/2025 2025-03-18 – Left pending in committee
• Harmony Hollow – Neutral on this issue at this time