Sec. 18.003.  ORGANIC CERTIFICATION.  (a)  The department may certify each person who produces, processes, distributes, or handles an organic agricultural product in this state.
(b)  A person may apply for any required certification under this subchapter by submitting the following, as prescribed by department rule:
(1)  an application for certification;
(2)  a plan for production, processing, distribution, or handling of organic agricultural products;  and
(3)  a fee.
(c)  The department by rule may require a person certified under this subchapter to submit an annual report of that person's production, processing, distribution, or handling of organic agricultural products, along with an annual reporting fee.
(d)  The department may by written notice require that a person certified under this subchapter submit any additional report, including copies of records, the department considers necessary to investigate or monitor production, processing, distribution, or handling of organic agricultural products.
(e)  A certificate issued under this subchapter remains in effect until surrendered, suspended, or revoked in accordance with procedures established by department rule and Section 18.0075.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 650, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 419, Sec. 2.17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 425, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1288, Sec. 3, eff. June 21, 2003.