Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 2012 rewrites the Agriculture Code subchapter relating to organic farming standards, certification, and registration to conform to regulations adopted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2001. Programs of the Texas Department of Agriculture must be consistent with the national one, although the department may adopt standards other than the national standards to the extent consistent with federal law. The bill directs the department to adopt procedures relating to the assessment of administrative penalties and increases maximum civil penalties from $500 to $10,000 for violations of the subchapter or departmental rules.