Tennessee House Bill HB1825

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/26
• Refer: 2/2/26
• Refer: 3/18/26
• Refer: 3/24/26
• Chaptered: 4/24/26
• Passed: 4/24/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 44, Chapter 15 and Title 53, relative to honey.

Summary

HB1825 amends Tennessee law governing the definition of "honey" and related agricultural/food provisions by increasing a gallonage threshold from 150 gallons to 835 gallons in two statutory sections. The bill is narrowly focused and appears to update a size-based exemption or classification tied to honey production, handling, or regulation under Titles 44 and 53 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. In practical terms, the measure changes the point at which certain honey-related operations are treated differently under state law, likely expanding the category of smaller producers or exempting more honey operations from a regulatory requirement. Because the bill only changes a numeric threshold, it does not create a new program or tax; instead, it adjusts existing statutory treatment for honey producers, handlers, or transporters affected by those code sections.

Impact

The bill directly amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 53-1-102(38) and § 53-8-103(14)(B)(v), replacing the existing 150-gallon threshold with 835 gallons. This alters how state law classifies or regulates honey-related activity under those provisions, potentially affecting beekeepers, honey processors, agricultural businesses, and any entities relying on the prior exemption or definition. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been received very favorably and without recorded opposition. It passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee 5-0, the full House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee 15-0, and then passed the House on consent calendar third consideration by an 81-1 vote. The unanimous committee votes and near-unanimous floor vote suggest broad bipartisan support and a low level of controversy.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The only notable point is the policy choice to raise the threshold substantially from 150 gallons to 835 gallons, which could expand the number of honey operations treated differently under the affected statutes. Any concern would likely come from parties interested in regulatory scope, enforcement, or competitive impacts on larger versus smaller honey producers, but no opposing arguments are reflected in the provided materials.