Texas Hemp Council and Hemp Product Regulations

House Bill 309 creates new rules for Texas hemp farming and products. The bill sets up a Texas Hemp Council to oversee the hemp industry. It covers consumable hemp products, hemp beverages, and hemp-derived cannabinoids—the active substances in hemp. Businesses that grow or handle hemp must get licenses and permits from the state. Applications must include the exact location where hemp will be grown, using GPS coordinates. Applicants must give written permission for state inspectors to visit their farms. They must also confirm they are U.S. citizens or legal residents. The bill gives important powers to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The state department of agriculture will work with this service to manage hemp production. This partnership helps bring knowledge and expertise to farmers across Texas. The extension service can receive funding from application fees and other sources to do this work. Testing of hemp products must follow state standards. Products with cannabinoids must be tested to make sure they are safe. The bill also creates rules for hemp beverages alongside other consumable hemp products. Nonconsumable hemp products—like cloth, fiber, paper, and plastics made from hemp—have different rules. The state will charge fees for licenses and can issue civil penalties for rule violations. The bill allows for criminal charges in serious cases. Texas follows federal hemp rules under the Farm Bill. This new law aligns Texas regulations with what the federal government requires.