Latest news with #CSSB3
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas lawmakers vote to gut booming hemp industry, sparking backlash
Texas is on the verge of banning nearly all intoxicating hemp products after the Republican-controlled state Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill to outlaw the sale and possession of THC-infused hemp consumables, including edibles, oils and vapes. The move threatens to devastate the state's $4 billion hemp industry, which includes over 8,000 businesses and tens of thousands of workers – although industry leaders have vowed to mount legal challenges should Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sign it into law. As of now, Abbott has not publicly endorsed or opposed the proposed ban, but the Texas Hemp Business Council have called for him not to sign it. Texas Ag Sues Dallas For Decriminalizing Marijuana "We urge Governor Abbott to reject CSSB 3 and protect the tens of thousands of hardworking Texans, including veterans like Dave Walden, who rely on hemp-derived cannabinoids for their wellness," the council said following Wednesday's vote. The state House voted to ban almost all hemp products Wednesday in a 95-44 vote, a stunning reversal after it previously advanced legislation that sought to regulate the products rather than ban them. Read On The Fox Business App The state Senate passed the bill, (SB 3), in March with a 24–7 vote. The bill is a top priority for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick who has described the products a "major public health threat," particularly to children. "I've never been more passionate about anything," Patrick said in a video posted to social media earlier this week. He threatened to call legislators back to the Capitol for a special session if they did not approve of the ban. "If we leave Austin this session and we don't ban these products for the next two to three years, we're going to see lives destroyed," Patrick said. Federal Judge Green Lights New York Marijuana Licensing Despite 'Disaster' Legal Cannabis Market Rollout He said the products are highly potent and can be easily accessed by minors. Just one House Republican, Rep. Brian Harrison, voted against the proposal. "I believe SB3 unnecessarily grows government, restricts the freedom of adults, and may have serious and harmful unintended consequences such as shuttering thousands of small businesses and pushing adults, who want or rely on hemp products, to more addictive and deadly pharmaceuticals or to the black market," Harrison wrote on X. "SB3 exceeds the proper role of government and may ban many products that President Trump legalized in 2018." Critics argue the bill is a political power play that will destroy small businesses and increase criminal penalties beyond those for marijuana. Lukas Gilkey, the chief executive of Hometown Hero, a manufacturer of hemp-derived products, said he plans on following a lawsuit. "Immediately, we are going to be prepping for a lawsuit. Texas Hemp Business Council has resources allocated for this specific purpose," Gilkey said in post on X. The House made some changes to the Senate version, so the bill must return to the Senate for final approval unless the House accepts the Senate's original version entirely. Only after that will it go to Governor Greg Abbott for signature or veto. Under Senate bill, the penalties for possessing banned hemp products would be more severe than for marijuana possession. For instance, possession of non-compliant hemp products would be punishable by up to one year in jail. In comparison, marijuana possession of under 2 ounces is currently a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in article source: Texas lawmakers vote to gut booming hemp industry, sparking backlash
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Statement from the Texas Hemp Business Council on Passage of CSSB 3
AUSTIN, Texas, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 'We are deeply disappointed by the Texas House's passage of CSSB 3, a bill that dismantles the legal hemp industry and ignores the voices of small businesses, farmers, veterans and consumers across the state who rely on hemp-derived products for their livelihoods and well-being. 'Among the many speaking out against CSSB 3 is Dave Walden, a combat veteran of Iraq and incoming state commander of the Texas VFW representing 60,000 veterans, who said, 'If Texas trusted us with sophisticated weapons systems worth billions of dollars to defend America's freedoms abroad, shouldn't lawmakers trust us to make responsible choices about our own healthcare at home? 'Veterans deserve the freedom to choose what supports our health and well-being.' 'Despite overwhelming testimony and clear data demonstrating the safety and economic value of federally legal hemp-derived cannabinoids, lawmakers have chosen a path that eliminates an entire sector of our economy, one that generates $4.3 billion in retail sales, 53,300 jobs and $268 million in tax revenue. 'Texas already has strong hemp regulations under HB 1325. Sensible amendments, such as restricting sales to those 21 and older, requiring child-resistant packaging and establishing setbacks from schools, would further strengthen these safeguards. 'We urge Governor Abbott to reject CSSB 3 and protect the tens of thousands of hardworking Texans, including veterans like Dave Walden, who rely on hemp-derived cannabinoids for their wellness. The hemp industry will continue to fight for smart, sensible policies that preserve public health, foster economic growth and preserve the freedom of choice for Texas consumers.' About the Texas Hemp Business Council The Texas Hemp Business Council is an industry organization dedicated to promoting the hemp-based cannabinoid industry in Texas, while advocating for consumer safety, education and stakeholder engagement. More information is available at Media Contacts: Natalie Mu/George Medici PondelWilkinson 310.279.5980 nmu@ gmedici@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas Veterans Tell Lawmakers to Vote No on CSSB 3 to Protect Their Right to Heal
AUSTIN, Texas, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As America prepares to observe Memorial Day in honor of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), representing more than 60,000 combat veterans across the state, is urging lawmakers to vote No on CSSB 3, a bill that threatens legal access to hemp-derived products relied upon by thousands of Texas veterans as alternatives to addictive prescription medications. Texas VFW's incoming State Commander Dave Walden, a combat veteran of Iraq, recently shared his personal testimony with Texas Lawmakers, calling the legislation a direct threat to veterans' health and dignity. 'We turned to these products not for escape, but for restoration,' said Walden. 'They helped us function, connect and rebuild. Veterans deserve the freedom to choose what supports our health and well-being.' The ongoing debate centers around Texas Committee Substitute Senate Bill 3 (CSSB 3), legislation pushed by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, which, if passed, would impose regulations so severe the majority of an $8 billion industry that employs 53,000 Texans would cease to operate. This will dramatically restrict access to a wide range of hemp-based products and consumer goods that veterans rely on to help manage their service-connected physical pain, anxiety and sleeplessness. 'Tyranny is the oppressive and unjust exercise of power. It's when government ignores the will of the people to serve its own interests. That's exactly what LT. Governor Dan Patrick is doing with CSSB 3,' adds Walden. 'He wants to take away a legal option that helps veterans, farmers, and small business owners—not to protect Texans, but to impose his own will. Tyranny isn't always loud. Sometimes, it hides in legislation like this—silencing veterans, destroying jobs, and forcing people back into a system that failed them.' The Texas VFW supports enforcing Texas' existing hemp regulations under HB 1325 (2019), which include testing, company registration and inspections, licensing and labeling requirements. The organization also supports sensible additions such as limiting sales to those 21 and older, requiring child-resistant packaging and setting retail distance limits from schools to ensure safety while preserving veteran access. Click here to view Commander Walden's full remarks. Click here to contact your elected officials and demand they vote no on these attempts to limit Texas veterans' ability to utilize hemp-derived consumables to manage the consequences of their military service. About the Texas VFWThe Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a statewide organization committed to advocating for and supporting veterans who have served in overseas conflicts. With 288 posts and 60,000 members across Texas, the organization provides vital resources to veterans, such as access to healthcare, benefits assistance and educational programs. More information can be found by visiting Media Contacts: Andrew BarlowLegend Labsabarlow@ George MediciPondelWilkinsongmedici@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
School choice and school finance meeting postponed; will not be streamed
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Tuesday morning, members of the Texas House Committee on Public Education were set to meet to discuss two of the biggest bills of the session — education savings accounts and school finance. Less than 10 hours before they convened, Chair Brad Buckley, R-Salado, postponed the meeting for Thursday morning. 'Throughout the House Public Education Committee's work on House Bill 2, I made a commitment to members that they would have ample time to review and digest the changes in the committee substitute and the district runs,' Buckley said in a statement on X. 'Due to the fact that the runs were received late this evening, I intend to honor my commitment to the members,' he continued. District runs show legislators how much money the school districts they represent would get under the proposed public school finance bill, HB 2. 'There are Republicans and Democrats right now who are concerned about the school finance bill,' Scott Braddock, editor at Quorum Report, said. 'We need another $1,340 per student just to deal with inflation since 2019,' State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, said. 'This doesn't get us there in a time where our school district, our community is looking at school closures and cuts that would be devastating to communities, its very disappointing that it is so low.' According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website, Hinojosa's estimate is conservative. In June 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill to increase the per-student allotment to $6,160. BLS estimates that's now equivalent to $7673.62, meaning schools would need an extra $1,513.62 per student to catch up with inflation. HB 2 would increase per-student funding by $220, and the new committee substitute, CSHB 2, would increase it by $395. 'I (think the number can go higher) but what I think is required is for Texans to call their state representatives and demand that they do better by our parents and by our teachers,' State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, said. According to a representative from the House Committee on Education's office, the meeting to discuss CSHB 2 and CSSB 3 (the education savings account legislation) will not be livestreamed because it's a 'formal meeting' and not a 'public hearing.' This comes after HB 3 kept the committee for over 22 hours, before they replaced it with CSSB 3. 'Even among members of the legislature there's some concern that this isn't being done in a transparent way,' Braddock, who initially broke the news, said. 'These two bills will impact 5.5 million Texas schoolchildren and all 30 million Texans,' Talarico said. 'This should be done in the light of day.' 'Whenever we're working on legislation that we're really excited about we let you all in to see what we're doing,' Hinojosa said. 'It tells me that maybe they don't feel that way about their own bill.' Passing education savings account (ESA) legislation — which would allow parents to use public money to help pay for private school — has been a priority of Abbott for years. 'The Governor called four special legislative sessions in 2023 and couldn't get this private school voucher scam over the finish line,' Talarico said. This postponement has given ESA opponents newfound hope that history may repeat itself, despite several Republican opponents losing primary elections to Abbott-backed challengers last year. 'There is bipartisan opposition to taking money out of our private schools and giving that money to unaccountable private schools.' However, the supporters of ESA legislation believe they have the votes, with Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows assuring the legislation will pass at a joint press conference with Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last week. 'We can fully fund public education and do school choice at the same time,' Burrows said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
