HB 519

relating to honey production operations and the harvesting and
packaging of honey and honeycomb.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 437.001(7), Health and Safety Code, is
(7)  "Honey [Small honey] production operation" means a
[(A)  produces less than 2,500 pounds of honey
[(B)]  sells or distributes [the] honey or
honeycomb [that] the beekeeper produces [either personally or with
the help of the beekeeper's immediate family members;
[(C)  only sells or distributes honey or
[(i)  that is produced from a hive that is:
[(a)  located in the state; and
[(ii)]  that is or from which is extracted
pure honey as defined by Section 131.001, Agriculture Code, [and]
that is raw and not blended with any other product or otherwise
[(iii)  directly to consumers at the
beekeeper's home, a farmer's market, a farm stand, or a municipal,
county, or nonprofit fair, festival, or event; and
[(D)  delivers the honey or honeycomb that the
beekeeper produces to the consumer at the point of sale or another
location designated by the consumer].
SECTION 2.  Sections 437.0197, 437.0198, and 437.0199,
Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
Sec. 437.0197.  EXEMPTION FOR [SMALL] HONEY PRODUCTION
OPERATION.  A [small] honey production operation is not a food
service establishment for purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 437.0198.  REGULATION OF [SMALL] HONEY PRODUCTION
OPERATION PROHIBITED.  A local government authority, including a
local health department, may not regulate the production of honey
or honeycomb at a [small] honey production operation.
Sec. 437.0199.  LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR [SMALL] HONEY
PRODUCTION OPERATION.  Honey or honeycomb sold or distributed by a
[small] honey production operation must be labeled in accordance
with Subchapter E, Chapter 131, Agriculture Code.  [The label must
[(1)  the net weight of the honey expressed in both the
avoirdupois and metric systems;
[(2)  the beekeeper's name and address; and
[(3)  the statement "Bottled or packaged in a facility
not inspected by the Texas Department of State Health Services."]
SECTION 3.  Chapter 437, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 437.01991 to read as follows:
Sec. 437.01991.  HONEY AS RAW AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY.  (a)
In this section, "raw agricultural commodity" has the meaning
(b)  For purposes of this subtitle and other applicable law,
a honey production operation that:
(1)  extracts honey from honeycomb is harvesting a raw
(2)  bottles extracted honey and packages cut honeycomb
is packaging a raw agricultural commodity without necessitating any
additional manufacturing or processing.
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.