Transcript Highlights:

• Farms and ranches cover a lot of acreage, and keeping up with maintenance of right-of-ways takes equipment
• We ranch full time, and at this time I'd also like to thank you for your support of the bill, Senator
• We ranch full time, and at this time, I'd also like to thank you for your support of the bill, Senator
• And I want him to grow up in a Texas where farming and ranching are not just a part of our history, but
• I want young children to sit in a classroom and view farming and ranching as an attainable career.

Bills: HB43, HB519, HB 1275, HB1592, HB2842, HB3088, HB3479, HB4163, SB823, HB609

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies. HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also seeing cases similar to affecting cattle, horses, and other ranch animals.
• the Mexican side. side but those balloons travel very far and they travel into all the surrounding ranch
• These are a lot of the major ranches and people.
• Litter that ends up... scattered all across our state on farms, ranches, parks, bayous, beaches, roadways
• What we see on the farms and ranches, what you see on the beach, are the mylar, the plastics, the things

Bills: HB5057, HB4519, HB5033, HB3997, HB 1237, HB1904, HB4400, HB 1227

Keywords: solid waste management, exclusive contracts, public agency, contract amendment, notification requirements, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, TERP, air quality, emissions reduction, clean fleet, alternative fuel, natural gas vehicles, hydrogen fuel, hydrogen infrastructure, diesel replacement, fleet grants, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, clean school buses

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there's no clear ad valorem tax exemption for many other inputs. used in farming and ranching
• exempts from farm inputs such as fertilizer, feed, pesticides, and other assets used in farming and ranching
• Thank you. in fluctuating markets, our farm and ranch families are struggling.
• In helping alleviate some of the pressure our farm and ranch families are feeling.

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR2, HJR4, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34, HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: school district, ad valorem tax, local revenue, tax collection, education funding, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure, Texas-Mexico border, ad valorem taxation, farm products, livestock, timber, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, from DLNR, Zach Judd from Parker Ranch. Irene Sprecher from Forest Solutions.
• 00:14:37.240> Parker Uh from DLNR, Zach Judd from Parker Uh from DLNR, Zach Judd from Parker Ranch
• Ranch. Ranch.

Bills: HR206, SB3083, SB2377, SB2816, SB3248, SB2436, SB2259, SB2928, SB2577, SB2697, SB2399, SB2665, SB2851, SB3102, SB2521, SB3157, SB3255, SB3016, SB2765, SB1432, SB17, SB2401, SB2972, SB3014, SB3032, SB3137, SB847, SB2261, SB2271, SB2272, SB2804, SB3007, SB3019, SB3250, SB2603, SB3022, SB2256, SB2147, SB2014, SB2114, SB2115, SB2117, SB2246, SB2519, SB3055, SB3095, SB3144, SB3264, SB2325, SB2211, SB3245, SB2090, SB2803, SB2866, SB2250, SB2497, SB2032, SB2487, SB3136, SB2756, SB2615, SB3262, SB2024, SB2177, SB2552, SB2319, SB2407, SB2153, SB2321, SB2805, SB3010, SB2892, SB2781, SB2489, SB2174, SB2169, SB3123

Keywords: Robert Bob Toyofuku, Hawaii legal community, House Resolution, commendation, honorary resolution, legal education, continuing legal education, CLE, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii law school, Pacific Law Institute, attorney training, legal ethics, professional responsibility, legal mentorship, legal profession, court-annexed arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, appellate decisions, Hawaii Supreme Court

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there's no clear ad valorum tax exemption for many other inputs used in farming and ranching
• , exempts farm inputs such as fertilizer, feed, pesticides, and other assets used in farming and ranching
• From extreme weather to supply chain issues and fluctuating markets, our farm and ranch families are
• encompassing definitions, we are taking a great step in helping alleviate some of the pressure our farm and ranch

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: HB 195, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Schedule IV, controlled substances, mifepristone, misoprostol, carisoprodol, Health and Safety Code, drug scheduling, pharmacy regulation, prescription drugs, reproductive health, abortion medication, medication abortion, women's health, prescribing, dispensing, law enforcement, drug control, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I worked at Parker Ranch. We had 100,000 acres. We follow all the same rules.
• Um, I worked at Parker Ranch. We had 100,000 acres. We follow all the same rules.
• We had 100,000 I worked at Parker Ranch.
• Ranch can benefit how other ranchers' livestock operations are managed, I think that's a benefit.
• <00:48:28.080> can Ranch or 17 years at Palani Ranch can Ranch or 17 years at Palani Ranch

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 640 for Juanita Rio Colón to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Public testimony and the nominee’s remarks strongly emphasized her water-system management background, Native Hawaiian stewardship values, and representation for Molokai. Committee members praised her qualifications and neighbor-island perspective, and also discussed broader concerns about reforming the Water Commission, including a separate bill to create a more independent authority and reduce politics in water decisions. Colón said she supported the restructuring effort and would serve with integrity and attention to constitutional water rights and climate resilience. The committee then heard GM 639 for Moses Haia III to the same commission. DLNR and OHA testified, and Haia described his long legal career, prior work on the Waihole contested case, and experience with Native Hawaiian rights and water law. Members asked about his ability to serve impartially given his advocacy background; Haia acknowledged that some may perceive a conflict from his prior work but said he did not believe it was a reasonable conflict and would follow the law and balance competing interests. The discussion again returned to the proposed Water Commission restructuring, which Haia said he supported as a way to provide independence and balance. Next, the committee considered GM 649 for Gilbert Coloma to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. DLNR and other testifiers explained that this was a new interstate commission created under the 2024 act, with Hawaii joining six U.S. states to address fisheries issues across state boundaries. Coloma, a commercial fisher from Hilo, said he brought more than 40 years of industry, cultural, and traditional experience and would represent Hawaii’s fishing communities. Members asked about the commission’s structure, meeting rotation, and funding, and were told the state covers dues through special funds. The committee also briefly took up GM 692 for Riley Smith’s reappointment to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported him, while Sierra Club Hui raised concerns about prior decisions affecting Native Hawaiian rights and public trust resources. Smith said he supported more residential uses in East Kapolei if the necessary planning and environmental review changes were made, and he began responding to questions about prior BLNR litigation before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number 46, DCFS with Timothy Hill Children's Ranch.
• Number 47 is also with Timothy Hill Children's Ranch, but this one is for qualified residential treatment
• intensive in-home services for DCFS clients in service areas 46 DCFS with Timothy Hill Children's Ranch
• independent living services for specified populations also 47 is also with Timothy Hill Children's Ranch
• Also, 47 is also with Timothy Hill Children's Ranch, but this one is for qualified residential treatment

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you talk to us a little bit about the McAllen Ranch?
• And the McAllen Ranch, the McAllen Ranch sits on probably the, well, they're.
• near Houston where they did the, the first geothermal well, and the second runner-up was the McAllen Ranch
• Uh, the ranch, thank you, Mr. Garrett. I appreciate your testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• A ranch went up for sale, and a developer walked in.
• We ranch north of McCulloch County.
• particular area because we are not equipped with water wells and water troughs like we are when we ranch
• But you said you also ranch in West Texas? Yes, sir.
• My husband's ranch is between Sonora and Ozona. And all that's well and water trough. Which County?

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Transcript Highlights:

• And then item E is the addition of a new rider for ranching exhibit at the Bob Bullock State History
• funds for various capital complex projects, followed by a new rider allocating $3.5 million for the ranching
• There are five projects that have been removed and the addition of the ranching exhibit renovations.
• And the last one is, again, for the ranching exhibit renovation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly a good welder on the farmer ranch is worth their weight in gold, and so you know, think of
• It is how do we make this truly sustainable and how do we improve ranch and farm viability, keep folks
• truly sustainable and how do<00:32:11.600> we<00:32:11.840> improve<00:32:12.240> ranch
• work you do and keeping our ranch work you do and keeping our ranch ranches<00:48:30.319> alive
• alive out there and uh thanks ranches alive out there and uh thanks for<00:48:32.000> coming<

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• And plus the fact that the state land was only one parcel within my ranching operation, what the net
• And plus the fact that the state land was only one parcel within my ranching operation, what the net
• succession purposes, ranchers will ranch succession purposes, ranchers will create<00:42:08.960>
• over generations that had evolved into over generations that had evolved into the<00:42:49.680> ranch
• and in into the two the ranch and in into the two corporations,<00:42:52.720> but<00:42:52.960

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• conglomerate of constituents who have noticed an ever-growing problem affecting animals at their ranches
• Um, we have also seen cases similar to affecting cattle, horses, and other ranch animals.
• balloon touches down, it is litter, litter that ends up scattered all across our state on farms, ranches
• Uh, but what we see on the farms and ranches, what you see on the beach are the mylar, the plastics,
• I'm a, I'm a ranch rancher's wife.

Transcript Highlights:

• Redacting somebody's name means that someone would know who that person is and where that ranch is.
• I can tell you as a rancher, if I have an outbreak on my ranch, I'm concerned about getting my animals
• Forward earlier with no reservations so that any disease or problem on the ranch won't go to adjacent
• ranches and hurt the food supply.
• You and I have been advocates for agriculture all the way through this thing: farming, ranching, that's

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm one of those people, and I help to promote that too through my farming and ranching practices—the
• We've had people rescued off of their roofs by my farming and ranching community, and we had no control
• Then it goes another 12 miles through my neighbor's ranch before it hits the city of Roswell.
• That food to a hundred and sixty people on our farm or ranch.
• These are global emissions that we're looking at, not individual, not a farm, not a ranch.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have 640 acres. family-owned ranch land in Hunt County in Caddo Mills, and we've decided to develop
• We even have a program, which you all voted to improve last night. ...the Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation
• We use it very effectively on our ranch. It's essential for reestablishing quail populations.
• The ranch was the initial site for the reintroduction of the Eastern Turkey, which was a huge success
• We welcome you to come up to our ranch. Uh, well, anyway, I want to thank you again for coming out.

Bills: HB937, HB2078, HB2080, HB3322, HB3350, HB4212, HB4630, HB4896, HB4951, HB5348, HB5675, SB565, SB971, SB1662, SB2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them work directly with ranch owners or local sheriffs. For us, it's problematic.
• And frankly, for us, when you are on a ranch in the middle of nowhere and you go to town to drink, it's
• You know, we're struggling to implement criminal trespass laws, to have enough people on the ranches
• concerned that those numbers are going to go down. ...They're still going to be gotaways on these ranches

Bills: SB36, SB2202, SB 36

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them work directly with ranch owners or local sheriffs. For us it's problematic.
• They don't have the authority, and, and frankly for us, when you're on a ranch in the middle of nowhere
• of these, you know, we're struggling to implement criminal trespass to have enough people on the ranches
• concerned that those numbers are going to go down, that there's still going to be getaways on these ranches

Bills: SB 36, SB 2202

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• There are people that are concerned about the greenhouse gases that are being produced, and the ranch
• We've got a ranch that has 30 pair, 30 mamas and 30 babies; this would be cost prohibitive for us.
• There are people that are concerned about the greenhouse gasses that are being produced, and the ranch
• We've got a ranch that has 30 pair. 30 mamas and 30 babies, um, this would be cost prohibitive for us

Bills: HB147

Keywords: government contracting, business program, discrimination, state procurement, equity, underutilized businesses

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones. HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district. HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you see here, this is People's Family Ranch, which is in Glades County.
• What we're finding is that in South Florida in particular, the majority of the applications are ranch
• And so right now we have 38 state forests and one ranch, and they total a little over 1.1 million...
• ...state forests and one ranch, and they total a little over 1.1 million acres that we actively manage

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met with a quorum and heard two Department of Agriculture presentations. First, the Director of Rural and Family Lands described the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which buys development rights through perpetual conservation easements on private agricultural land to preserve farming, wildlife habitat, water resources, and open space while keeping land taxable and avoiding state maintenance costs. He said the program has expanded rapidly since 2023 through streamlined applications, templates, and an online portal, increasing acreage protected from about 66,000 acres through 2022 to more than 210,000 acres, with a higher share in the Florida wildlife corridor. He also said review times were reduced by more than 85 days and that projects under $5 million can move faster under statutory authority. The department is seeking $200 million in nonrecurring funding on top of $100 million recurring, citing 203 existing projects and 224 new applications totaling nearly $2 billion in estimated need. Members asked about the scientific ranking process, South Florida participation, project prioritization, maintenance responsibilities, and whether landowners can exit the program; staff said land remains privately owned, easements are in perpetuity, and partnerships and cost-sharing are prioritized. The committee then heard from the Florida Forest Service director, who outlined the agency’s dual mission of wildfire response and land management. He said the service responds to roughly 2,200 to 2,500 wildfires annually, manages 38 state forests and one ranch totaling more than 1.1 million acres, and receives about 15 million visitors each year. He highlighted the impact of Senate Bill 1638 gaming compact funds, which provided $32 million for land management, recreation, equipment, roads, invasive species control, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, reforestation, and staffing support. He said Florida leads the nation in prescribed fire, with 277,818 acres burned on state forests last year and 2.47 million acres burned statewide, and noted ongoing restoration work such as Picayune Strand. He also described challenges including aging equipment, deferred maintenance, contractor availability, and timber market instability caused by hurricanes and mill closures, and suggested longer-term funding and a higher capital asset allowance. Members discussed timber markets, public communication and marketing, recreation fees, and coordination with other agencies and FDOT. The meeting ended with the chair noting that next week’s meeting would report out agency conversations and budget recommendations, and the committee rose.