2023 Legislative Session

The Texas Beekeepers Association Legislative Committee has been working hard to follow bills as they are introduced. We will continue to monitor and update this page as new information unfolds. If you see other relevant bills that should receive our attention, please let us know.

The 2023 TBA Legislative Committee consists of:

  • Leesa Hyder, TBA Executive Secretary
  • Dennis Hebert
  • Chris Moore
  • Gary Barber
  • Dodie Stillman, TBA President
  • Byron Compton, TBA Vice-President
  • Ashley Ralph, TBA Past President
  • Joe Morris, Capitol Lobbyist

Bee-related bills currently following:

  • HB 590 – Relating to the labeling and sale of Texas honey. (Bailes)
  • HB 2329 – Relating to honey production operations and the harvesting and packaging of honey and honeycomb. (Clean up bill DSHS – Bailes)
  • HB 2684 – Relating to the issuance of oversize or overweight permits for vehicles transporting agricultural commodities during or preceding a disaster. (Burns)
  • HB 2769 – Relating to the repeal of the permit requirement for the intrastate shipment of bees. (Meza)
  • HB 4538 – Relating to the regulation of beekeeping; imposing fees and authorizing other fees; expanding the applicability of an occupational permit. (Kacal)
  • HB 634 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land. (Lozano)
  • SB 262 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land. (Hinojosa)
  • SB 1892 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land based on its use to raise or keep bees. (Springer)
  • SB 2427 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land. (Zaffirini)
  • HB 883 – Relating to the regulation of migrant labor housing facilities; authorizing an increase in the amount of a fee; changing the amount of a civil penalty. (Romero)

Other Bills of Interest:

  • HB 2194 – Relating to establishing a “Made in Texas” labeling program; authorizing a civil penalty.
  • HB 1750 – Relating to the applicability of certain city requirements to agricultural operations. (Right to Farm – Burns)
  • HB 2271 – Relating to the protection of aquaculture operations. (Right to Farm – Aquaculture – Kacal)
  • HB 2308 – Relating to nuisance actions and other actions against agricultural operations. (Right to Farm – Ashby)
  • HB 3857 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land. (Thimesch)
  • SB 1455 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land. (Paxton)
  • HJR 126 Proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, and wildlife management. (Burns)

Other News:

Extension Bee Specialist

For many years, the TBA membership has passed resolutions expressing the need for an apiary extension agent for Texas. The continue resolution states:
Whereas beekeeping has expanded in the state of Texas; and
Whereas Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is an important vehicle for dissemination of good beekeeping practices,
Be it Resolved that TBA will continue to pursue the creation of a Statewide Apiary Extension Agent.

While we have had numerous conversations with Texas A&M Extension and Research over the years, and they fully understand and appreciate the need, funding and priorities have continued to present an issue. Therefore, TBA began diligently seeking help from the legislature to provide necessary funding.

This session, Representative Mary Gonzales and Senator Charles Perry, after consultation with TAMU, have introduced budget riders for funding such a position at A&M. Both of these legislators have been strong supports of TBA and beekeeping in Texas over the years. We know that they will work to advance the proposed funding. We appreciate so much their willingness to assist us in this very important effort.
As of May 23, 2023 funding for the bee specialist is still active.