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HB 3736

AN ACT relating to prohibiting certain additives from being included in

House Bill Shofner | Kerwin
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Committee

Not yet assigned

Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Prohibits Texas school districts and charter schools from serving food or drinks containing specific chemical additives, including caramel coloring (CAS 8028-89-5) and any substantially similar substances. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, schools must remove these additives from meals and beverages provided to students, potentially changing school lunch and drink offerings to comply with the new health and safety regulations.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to prohibiting certain additives from being included in
food and drinks provided by school districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.9011 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.9011.  PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN ADDITIVES IN FOOD AND
DRINKS PROVIDED BY SCHOOLS.  A school district or open-enrollment
charter school that provides meals to students may not provide any
food or drink that contains the following substances:
(8)  caramel (CAS 8028-89-5); or
(9)  any additive that is substantially similar to an
additive specified in Subdivisions (1) through (8).
SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to prohibiting certain additives from being included in