Category Archives: Texas Legislature

May 31, 2019 Weekly Round Up

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We’ve reached the end of May…I’m not sure how time goes so quickly.  Here are a few ag law stories in the news recently. *Texas judge finds 2015 WOTUS Rule violated Administrative Procedures Act.  A federal judge here in Texas found that the 2015 WOTUS rule violated the Administrative Procedures Act.  Specifically, the judge found that the proposed rule, for which public comment was allowed, differed too greatly from the final rule.  In other words, because there were portions of the final rule that were significantly modified from… Read More →

April 5, 2019 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday and Happy April!  It’s been a busy couple of weeks for me, with programs in Ft. Worth at the TSCRA Convention, Ranch Management University in College Station, online for a class at Mississippi State University, and the Lower Plains Crops Conference in Snyder.  Welcome to those of you joining from each of these programs. We’re glad you’re here! Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. *Texas Senate passes eminent domain reform bill. Yesterday, the Texas Senate passed SB 421, sponsored… 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 →

September 2, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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How is it already September?  Not that I’m complaining about the cool, rainy weather we’ve been seeing this week here in the Panhandle!  Here are a few of the ag law stories in the news this week. * Texas Railroad Commission Failed to Track Oilfield Waste Injections Into Groundwater Zones.  In the first of several clips involving the Texas RRC we will see today, the Texas Tribune published an article claiming that even though the RRC agreed to track injections into zones that could hold drinking water sources… Read More →

Texas Legislative Review: Bills Related to Agricultural Law

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Now that the 2015 Texas Legislative Session has ended, I wanted to highlight some agricultural-related bills considered in Austin this session.  For those of you not familiar with Texas politics, our legislature meets only every-other year.  At the close of the session, there are three things that can happen to any bills on the governor’s desk:  (1) the governor has 20 days to sign the bill, making it law; (2) the governor has 20 days to veto the bill; or (3) if no action is taken within the 20 day… Read More →

June 5, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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This week I gave two presentations via the internet to folks in San Angelo and in Jefferson County.  To those of you new to the blog from these presentations, welcome! It’s been another busy week in the agricultural law realm. *  Hays County Groundwater Bill on Governor’s Desk.  The Texas Legislature passed HB 3405, known as the  Hays County Groundwater Bill, sending it on to Governor Abbo[Read article here.]  As you likely recall from prior blog posts, Hays County finds itself in the middle of a groundwater battle… Read More →

May 22, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  This week I was able to visit with the Camp County Cattleman’s Association via the internet at their monthly meeting about some Frequently Asked Ag Law Questions.  I thank Spencer Perkins for the chance to visit with that group and welcome those new readers joining from that event!  It has been a busy ag law week, with lots of Texas-specific stories in the news. *Governor Abbott Signs “Local Fracking Ban Ban” Into Law.  On Monday, I blogged about the bill on Governor Abbott’s desk that would… Read More →

State Law Banning Local Fracking/Oil and Gas Ordinances on Governor’s Desk

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If you have read this blog for any period of time, you know that local fracking and oil and gas production bans, such as the one passed by Denton voters last November, are a frequent topic of discussion.  Now, the Texas Legislature has passed a bill that would prevent these type of local production bans.  The bill is now on the desk of Governor Abbott for his signature. The Bill House Bill 40, called by many the “Denton Fracking Bill” was passed by the House (vote of 26-5)… Read More →

April 17, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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This week I traveled to Andrews, Texas to speak at the Sandhills Beef Conference.  Thanks to Caleb Eaton for the invitation to come and speak on grazing leases.  To those of you joining the blog from that presentation, welcome!  Here are a couple of at law stories in the news this week. * Texas Legislators Eye Gulf To Solve Water Issues.  The Texas Tribune published a great article discussing proposed bills in Austin related to turning to the gulf and desalination to solve Texas’ ongoing water problems.  As… Read More →

Water Bills – Summary of the 2013 Texas Legislative Session

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**This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.** Now that the Texas Legislature has completed its regular session and first special session, I have compiled a list of the major water-related bills considered by the 83rd Texas Legislature.   Not surprisingly given the current drought, water was a major issue considered by the Legislature.  The complete text of any bill below may be viewed at Texas Legislature Online by simply entering the bill number.   Bills that passed the Legislature and were signed by the Governor HB… Read More →