It has been quite the week with much of the country facing cold temperatures and snow!  Beyond the weather-related news, there were a number of important ag law stories as well.

Texas A&M AgriLife Photo

* SCOTUS weighs in on Corporate Transparency Act reporting; a nationwide injunction remains in place.  The litigation surrounding the constitutionality of the Corporate Transparency Act continued this week.  On Thursday, the United States Supreme Court lifted the nationwide injunction in Texas Top Cop Shop v. Garland.  [Read article here.]  Although that stay is no longer in place, there was a second nationwide injunction issued by a different Texas federal court in Smith v. U.S. Department of the Treasury.  That stay remains in place.  Because of the Smith stay, the beneficial ownership deadlines are not currently in place and the law will not be enforced at this time.  [Read statement here.]

*Legal considerations for virtual fencing.  I had a phone call this week where someone asked how Texas fence law will apply to virtual fences.  My friend, Kyle Weldon, recently wrote an article about this for Progressive Cattle magazine. The answer, at this point, is that we do not know for sure.  This is a perfect example of how technology can outpace the corresponding law.  [Read article here.]

*Confirmation hearing held for Secretary of Agriculture nominee, Brooke Rollins.  A confirmation hearing was held this week for Brook Rollins, a Texas native and Texas A&M University graduate, President Trump’s nominee to lead the USDA.  Farm Journal published an article outlining the key points addressed at the hearing. [Read article here.]

*Trump administration pauses regulatory rulemaking.  On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order directing that no rules may be proposed or published in the Federal Register until the rule is approved by the Trump administration.  For rules that were already sent to the Federal Register but had not yet been published and for rules published by not yet effective, the order imposes an additional 60 days prior to the effective date.  [View executive order here.]  Speaking of executive orders, Farm Progress wrote a great article outlining which of the numerous executive orders signed by President Trump will impact agriculture.  [Read article here.]

*Article looks at using sheep to graze under solar panels.  Morning Ag Clips recently published an interesting story discussing “agrivoltaics,” the practice of using sheep to graze beneath the solar panels at solar farms. Proponents say it can be a win/win for solar and the sheep industry alike.  [Read article here.]

*Estate planning for the new year.  For those of you who have getting your estate plan in order as a goal for 2025, an article from the Press Telegram offers some great tips and for getting started.  [Read article here.]

*Lithium boom may depend on Texas law.  Lawyers from Baker Botts recently penned a great article looking at how the continued development of lithium in Texas may be dependent on how Texas law views ownership of the water in which the lithium is found.  The authors do a great job looking at the various legal issues that exist with regard to lithium leases and production.  [Read article here.]

* Rural Impact Awards Ag Lawyer of the Year.  I am honored to have been named the Agricultural Lawyer of the Year for the Rural Impact Awards hosted by Ranch House Designs.  I grew up in rural America and am grateful to be able to live, work, and raise my children here.  To be recognized for my contribution to rural America is very meaningful to me.  [View award information here.]

Upcoming Presentations

Next week, I will make my way to Childress for the Red River Crops Conference to speak on estate planning.  To see a complete list of my upcoming programs, click here.