H.B. No. 309 establishes the Texas Hemp Council to regulate hemp products, including consumable hemp products and hemp beverages, by amending various sections of the Agriculture Code and the Alcoholic Beverage Code. The bill introduces new definitions and regulatory frameworks, including provisions for occupational licenses, permits, fees, taxes, and penalties related to the handling and distribution of hemp products. It mandates the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to perform regulatory duties in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. Key changes include the introduction of definitions for terms like "illicit consumable hemp product" and "hemp retailer," as well as requirements for transporting hemp and penalties for violations.

The bill also outlines specific regulations for the sale and distribution of hemp beverages, including labeling requirements, age verification for purchasers, and restrictions on marketing to minors. It establishes a comprehensive tax structure for consumable hemp products based on tetrahydrocannabinol content and clarifies the legal status of hemp products in relation to local voting on alcoholic beverages. Additionally, the bill introduces a licensing framework for manufacturers and distributors, mandates self-audits, and emphasizes compliance with federal laws. Overall, H.B. No. 309 aims to create a structured regulatory environment for the hemp industry in Texas, ensuring public safety and compliance while promoting economic opportunities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Agriculture Code 121.003, Agriculture Code 122.001, Agriculture Code 122.103, Agriculture Code 122.151, Agriculture Code 122.301, Agriculture Code 122.356, Agriculture Code 122.358, Agriculture Code 122.360, Alcoholic Beverage Code 1.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.05, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.17, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.31, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.32, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.35, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.36, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.362, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.38, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.48, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5.57, Alcoholic Beverage Code 11.64, Alcoholic Beverage Code 28.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 41.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 61.02, Alcoholic Beverage Code 61.13, Alcoholic Beverage Code 61.31, Alcoholic Beverage Code 61.314, Alcoholic Beverage Code 61.381, Alcoholic Beverage Code 61.421, Alcoholic Beverage Code 62.09, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64.08, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64.09, Alcoholic Beverage Code 66.11, Alcoholic Beverage Code 74.08, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.03, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.31, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.41, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.66, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.67, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.6701, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.70, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.71, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.02, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.025, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.03, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.05, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.071, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.08, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.115, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.13, Alcoholic Beverage Code 107.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code 107.11, Alcoholic Beverage Code 109.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 109.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code 109.21, Alcoholic Beverage Code 203.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251.71, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251.72, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251.73, Commerce Code 17.463, The heading to Chapter , Election Code 340.002, Election Code 501.001, Election Code 1.04, Election Code 501.023, Election Code 501.024, Election Code 501.025, Election Code 501.027, Election Code 501.028, Election Code 501.034, Election Code 501.035, Election Code 501.107, Election Code 501.109, Election Code 501.151, Election Code 501.154, Government Code 411.110, Health and Safety Code 431.011, Occupations Code 59.10, Transportation Code 1.04, Transportation Code 545.420 (Election Code 501, Alcoholic Beverage Code 41, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251, Agriculture Code 122, Alcoholic Beverage Code 74, Alcoholic Beverage Code 109, Government Code 411, Alcoholic Beverage Code 11, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64, Alcoholic Beverage Code 62, The heading to Chapter , Election Code 340, Commerce Code 17, Alcoholic Beverage Code 1, Agriculture Code 121, Transportation Code 1, Alcoholic Beverage Code 107, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106, Occupations Code 59, Alcoholic Beverage Code 61, Alcoholic Beverage Code 28, Alcoholic Beverage Code 66, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101, Alcoholic Beverage Code 203, Election Code 1, Transportation Code 545, Health and Safety Code 431)