H.B. No. 309 seeks to establish 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 the creation of criminal offenses and civil penalties related to hemp product handling and distribution. It designates the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to perform regulatory duties in collaboration with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in regulating both alcoholic beverages and consumable hemp products, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws.

The legislation also establishes a comprehensive framework for the sale and distribution of hemp beverages, including specific labeling requirements, age verification for purchasers, and restrictions on sales during certain times. It mandates that hemp beverage permits display warnings about consumption effects and prohibits mixing hemp beverages with alcohol or other psychoactive substances. The bill further introduces a tax structure for consumable hemp products based on tetrahydrocannabinol content, clarifies the legal status of hemp product sales in "dry" and "wet" areas, and outlines the licensing and operational requirements for businesses involved in the hemp industry. Overall, H.B. No. 309 aims to enhance public safety and compliance while promoting the responsible growth of the hemp market in Texas.

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 (Agriculture Code 121, Alcoholic Beverage Code 106, Alcoholic Beverage Code 1, Alcoholic Beverage Code 66, Alcoholic Beverage Code 107, Alcoholic Beverage Code 41, The heading to Chapter , Election Code 340, Alcoholic Beverage Code 62, Alcoholic Beverage Code 74, Government Code 411, Alcoholic Beverage Code 11, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101, Election Code 1, Alcoholic Beverage Code 28, Election Code 501, Occupations Code 59, Agriculture Code 122, Transportation Code 545, Alcoholic Beverage Code 203, Alcoholic Beverage Code 61, Transportation Code 1, Health and Safety Code 431, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64, Alcoholic Beverage Code 5, Alcoholic Beverage Code 109, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251, Commerce Code 17)