Monthly Archives: October 2017

Difference Between an ICE Audit & an ICE Raid: Are You Prepared?

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Numerous businesses–both agricultural and others–have faced audits or raids conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in recent years. Dr. Ellen Jordan, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Dairy Specialist, and I published a fact sheet outlining the difference between an ICE audit and an ICE raid and discussing what a business owner should do to be adequately prepared in the event either of these occur.  From putting policies in place long before ICE ever knocks on the door, to understanding the legal rights afforded to a business facing an audit… Read More →

October 27, 2017 Ag Law Round Up

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Hello from beautiful  Louisville, Kentucky and the American Agricultural Law Association Annual Symposium.  It’s been a great week of catching up with old friends, meeting new folks, and hearing all about current ag law issues.  If you’re a law student or an attorney interested in the world of agricultural law, AALA’s symposium is a must! Meanwhile, here are some of the ag law stories in the news recently. *EPA makes changes to labels for popular new Dicamba herbicides for 2018 crop year.  On the heels of significant complaints… Read More →

Ag Law in the Field Podcast – Episodes 11-20

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In case you may have missed them, I wanted to give a rundown of episodes 11-20 of the Ag Law in the Field Podcast, along with links to the website and show notes for each one as well.   [If you missed the recap of Episodes 1-10, click here.]   Remember, you can listen to the podcast on iTunes, your phone’s podcast app, or online at the links below.  I am always happy to take suggestions for topics of interest, so feel free to shoot me some ideas!… Read More →

Texas Legislative Session Recap

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The 85th Legislative Session has come to a close.  Here is a look at some of the key agriculture-related bills considered in Austin this year.  Given the total number of bills introduced, this is not an exhaustive list of every bill that came up this session, but instead highlights some of the more important and more popular bills related to agriculture.  To look up more information about any of these bills or to search for other bills by number or topic, visit Texas Legislature Online. BILLS THAT PASSED Farm Products/Commodities HB… Read More →

October 13, 2017 Weekly Round Up

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Hello from Dallas Love Field Airport, which has been my second home recently with all my travels.  This week, I made my way to Stephenville to speak at Annie’s Project.  Huge kudos to Jason Johnson for his work coordinating this intensive educational course for farm and ranch women and a big thanks to him for inviting me to participate.  It is always one of my favorite programs of the year. Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. * Iowa “Ag Gag” statute challenged in… Read More →

Federal Appellate Court Rejects Argument That TX Eminent Domain Procedure Violates Due Process

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Last week, the United States Court of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit considered a legal dispute between a landowner and the Trans-Pecos Pipeline project.  Specifically, the landowner claims that Texas eminent domain procedure violates the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution. The court declined to issue an injunction to stay the state court eminent domain proceedings, finding that the landowner was unlikely to succeed on the merits of his claim. Background The Trans-Pecos Pipeline project is currently under construction and will result in 148-mile gas pipeline… Read More →

October 6, 2017 Weekly Round Up

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This week I traveled to Fredericksburg for the Bennett Trust Women’s Stewardship Conference and to Johnson City for the Pedernales Wildlife Management Co-Op Meeting.  This trip, I had a two-year old sidekick with me who thoroughly enjoyed the fun.  Welcome to those of you joining from these programs. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news. * Farm program payments under ARC/PLC are going out beginning this week.  Those of you enrolled in the ARC and PLC programs keep an eye on your mailboxes.  The… Read More →

Vote for the Texas Agriculture Law Blog

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We are excited that the Texas Agriculture Law Blog has been nominated by The Expert Institute as one of the Best Legal Blogs in the Education & Law Category. Voting is now open and you can cast your vote for your favorite blog in the various categories.  To vote for the Texas Agriculture Law Blog, click here.  (Voting is quick, easy, and only takes one click!) Thank you all for your support during the nomination process and now with your votes.

Texas Attorney General Opines on Fannin County Fence Law

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Fannin County residents have had an ongoing disagreement about whether the county is closed range or open range.  The District Attorney, Richard Glaser, sought an opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to answer this question. As Mr. Glaser explained, “In what has recently become an annual Fannin County tradition, this office has been repeatedly asked whether Fannin County is currently an open- or closed-range county.” According to Mr. Paxton’s opinion, Fannin County is, indeed, a closed range county and livestock owners may not allow their animals to… Read More →