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HB 1634

Modifies definition of commercial feed to include industrial hemp

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matthew Overcast and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1634 would include industrial hemp in Missouri’s commercial feed definition, bringing hemp-based animal feeds under existing feed safety and labeling rules.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 1634

Summary of HB 1634 (Missouri, 2026)

Purpose and intent

HB 1634 proposes to modify Missouri’s definition of “commercial feed” to explicitly include industrial hemp. The bill aims to align regulatory language with the growing hemp industry by ensuring that hemp used as a feed ingredient falls under the jurisdiction and standards applicable to commercial feed products.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definition change: The central change is to revise the statutory definition of “commercial feed” to explicitly encompass industrial hemp. This broadens the scope of products treated as commercial feed in Missouri.
  • Regulatory alignment: By including industrial hemp, the bill brings hemp products used for animal feed into the state’s established feed regulatory framework, including labeling, safety, and quality controls that apply to other commercial feeds.
  • Potential standards: While the bill text provided does not enumerate all standards, the implicit effect is that hemp-based feed ingredients would be subject to Missouri’s feed laws, which may cover:
    • Ingredient disclosure and labeling requirements
    • Nutritional and safety specifications
    • Prohibitions or restrictions on adulterants
    • Inspection and enforcement responsibilities
  • Administration and enforcement: The addition to the definition would be enforced by the same state agencies and departments responsible for overseeing commercial feeds, enabling consistency in oversight and compliance activities.

Who or what would be affected

  • Industrial hemp producers and suppliers: Entities that produce or supply hemp intended for use as animal feed would fall under Missouri’s commercial feed regulation, affecting marketing, labeling, and compliance obligations.
  • Animal feed manufacturers and distributors: Companies that formulate, manufacture, or distribute hemp-containing feeds would need to ensure products meet applicable feed standards and reporting requirements.
  • Farmers and livestock producers: Producers using Hemp-based feed ingredients would be subject to labeling and safety standards and any regulatory inspections tied to commercial feeds.
  • Regulatory agencies: Missouri agencies responsible for commercial feeds would gain expanded oversight authority over hemp-containing feed ingredients.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Filed and pre-filed date: Prefiled in December 2025, indicating early consideration ahead of the 2026 session.
  • First reading: January 7, 2026 (House).
  • Second reading: January 8, 2026 (House).
  • Referral: May 15, 2026, to Emerging Issues (House) committee for consideration and potential action, signaling focus on current or emerging policy concerns related to feeds and hemp.
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsors include Matthew Overcast and Adrian Plank, indicating supportive leadership in the chamber.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Industry growth: Could facilitate broader adoption of hemp-based feed ingredients by providing clear regulatory footing.
  • Consumer/animal safety: Aligns hemp feed with existing safety and labeling standards, potentially improving traceability and assurance for producers and consumers.
  • Regulatory burden: May introduce additional compliance requirements for hemp suppliers and feed manufacturers already operating under Missouri’s feed laws.
  • Inter-jurisdictional considerations: As hemp policy evolves at state and federal levels, the bill helps Missouri maintain regulatory consistency with other states that regulate hemp within feed products.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing Missouri feed definitions or provide a plain-language explanation of how current regulations would apply to hemp-containing feeds.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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