By: Longoria, Guerra (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 2840

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 26, 2021; May 4, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs; May 13, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 13, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the inapplicability of state citrus fruit maturity standards to grapefruit and oranges processed for juice.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 94.002, Agriculture Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 94.002. EXCEPTIONS. Except to the extent specifically provided by this chapter, this chapter does not apply to:

(1) citrus fruit other than citrus grandis, osbeck, commonly known as grapefruit, and citrus sinensis, osbeck, commonly known as oranges;

(2) a sale of citrus fruit "on the trees";

(3) grapefruit that is shipped after December 1 of a year and before August 1 of the following year;

(4) early or midseason oranges that are shipped after November 1 of a year and before August 1 of the following year; [or]

(5) transportation of citrus fruit from a grove to a packing house located in this state; or

(6) grapefruit or oranges that are processed for juice.

SECTION 2. 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, 2021.

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