Ag Law in the Field Episode #207: J Pete Laney (2025 Texas Legislature Impact on Agriculture)
It is time for our recap of the Texas Legislative Session when it comes to agriculture. Our friend, J Pete Laney, is back with us once again. J Pete and I talk through several key bills related to Texas agriculture this session. It's always fun to chat with J Pete and get his on-the-ground knowledge about what's going on in Austin.
Do note this episode was recorded on August 25, 2025. With the ongoing special session, there may have been changes to bills considered in the special session since this time. In particular, this is true for HB 27 related to groundwater in the Trinity Valley Groundwater Conservation District.
Contact Info for J Pete Laney
(website) http://www.jpetelaneylaw.com/
(phone) 512-473-0404
Links to Topics Mentioned on the Show
Senate Bills
SB 7 - Relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board.
SB 17 - Relating to the purchase or acquisition of an interest in real property by certain aliens or foreign entities; creating a criminal offense; providing a civil penalty.
SB 34 - Relating to funding for certain volunteer fire departments, to the preparation for and the prevention, management, and potential effects of wildfires, and to emergency communications in this state.
SB 261 - Relating to a prohibition on the offering for sale and the sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption; providing civil and criminal penalties.
SB 503 - Relating to the establishment of an electronic registry of livestock marks and brands.
SB 541 - Relating to cottage food production operations. (Check out the Farm Ranch Freedom Alliance for more information on these changes!)
SB 767 - Relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires.
SB 868 - Relating to the allocation of money appropriated to the rural volunteer fire department assistance program
SB 886 - Relating to the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); creating a criminal offense
SB 1035 - Relating to equitable relief from the enforcement of certain governmental requirements that affect agricultural operations.
House Bills
HB 27 - Relating to a groundwater study of certain aquifers underlying the territory of the Trinity Valley Groundwater Conservation District by the Texas Water Developement Board before the issuance of permits or permit amendments by the district.
HB 43 - Relating to the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority and certain programs administered by the authority. (Also see article written on this bill by Kody Bessent)
HB 49 - Relating to the treatment and beneficial use of fluid oil and gas waste and related material, including a limitation on liability for that treatment or use.
HB 99 - Relating to the repeal of or limitations on certain state and local taxes, including school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes, the enactment of state and local value added taxes, related school finance reform, and directing the comptroller to identify alternatives to local ad valorem taxes; imposing taxes.
HB 143- Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to address a failure by an operator to maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
HB 144 - Relating to plans for the management and inspection of distribution poles.
HB 145 - Relating to risk mitigation planning and associated liability for providers of electric service; providing an administrative penalty.
HB 1244 - Relating to the eligibility of land to continue to be appraised for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land following a transfer to a person who uses the land in materially the same way as the former owner and to late applications for such appraisal filed by the new owner of the land.
HB 1399 - Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.
HB 1592 - Relating to an alert system for dangerous plant and wildlife pests and diseases administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
HB 1633 - Relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment.
HB 1674 - Relating to the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); creating a criminal offense.
HB 2018 - Relating to the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program.
HB 4163 - Realting to the applicability fo certain city requirements to agricultural operations (under Texas Right to Farm Act)
HB 5560 - Relating to penalties in certain suits involving a groundwater conservation district; increasing a penalty.
Podcast Sponsors
Capital Farm Credit, AgTrust Farm Credit, Texas Corn Producers, Braun & Gresham, Plains Land Bank, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, AgTexas, and Texas Farm Bureau