Apr 24, 2017 - add certain concentrated animal feeding operations to the list of places .... Forward this email | Update
4/24/2017
Austin Newsletter
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April 21, 2017 | Regular Session, Issue 15
Regulation of Drones
Last week, HB 1643 by Representative Drew Springer (RMuenster) was voted favorably from the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety and is waiting to be heard on the House floor. As covered in the fifth issue of Austin Newsletter, HB 1643 will add certain concentrated animal feeding operations to the list of places where it is illegal to fly drones without the owner's permission. TFB supports HB 1643. (TFB Policy 2017: "Real Property Rights," page 54, lines 183185)
License to Carry
SB 16 by Senator Robert Nichols (RJacksonville) would make obtaining a license to carry (LTC) more affordable by lowering the cost to apply and renew a license by 50 percent in most cases. SB 16 has successfully made it out of the Senate chamber and is now waiting to be heard by the House Committee of Homeland Security and Public Safety. The original bill had one floor amendment from the Senate chamber, which reduced the additional $100 fee for individuals who qualify as handgun instructors to a $40 fee. SB 16 was first reported in the 11th issue of the Austin Newsletter. TFB supports SB 16. (TFB Policy 2017: "Weapons," page 115, lines 811)
Seed Standardization
SB 1172 by Senator Charles Perry (RLubbock) prevents a political subdivision from adopting regulation on seeds, including planting seeds or cultivating plants grown from seeds. It implements a statewide seed standardization law. A statewide seed standardization law will ensure farmers have a consistent level playing field in all 254 Texas counties. The potential currently exists, however, for a patchwork of local ordinances, which could cause confusion and inconsistency for farmers who have fields in parts of two counties. The Texas Department of Agriculture would be the agency to coordinate and administer the state seed standardization law. On Thursday afternoon, the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock voted this legislation favorably to the full House. TFB supports SB 1172. (TFB Policy 2017: "Cities," page 94, lines 3135) https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1127762388763&format=html&print=true
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Horse Racing
HB 3926 by Representative John Kuempel (R Seguin) authorizes purposedriven pari mutuel wagering at Texas' 10 facilities currently licensed to conduct live or simulcast racing. In addition to allowing parimutuel wagering, this bill will send funds received to law enforcement. HB 3926 was voted out of committee Thursday, April 20, and is now waiting to be set on the House Calendar. TFB supports HB 3926. (TFB Policy 2017: "Horses," page 12, line 24)
Incentivizing the Use of Desalinated Seawater
SB 1430 by Senator Charles Perry (RLubbock) and HB 2894 by Representative Eddie Lucio III (DBrownsville) are companion bills to incentivize industrial and municipal surface water right holders to utilize desalinated seawater. Typically, the cost of using desalinated water is higher than using either fresh surface water or groundwater. One strategy to make the use of desalinated water more cost effective for surface water right holders is to be able to sell or lease that surface water to other users in the basin. These bills will facilitate the ability of the surface water right holder to market their water rights by providing them with expedited consideration of an amendment to their water right by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Such amendments can take years to be approved by the commission. SB 1430 has been passed by the Texas Senate, while HB 2494 is currently pending in the House Committee on Natural Resources. TFB supports SB 1430 and HB 2894. (TFB Policy 2017: "Water Management" page 70, lines 4143)
Texas Farm Bureau State Legislative Team Jim Reaves, State Legislative Director Issue areas: Labor, Education, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Email:
[email protected] Austin Office Phone: 5124728288 Marissa Patton, Associate Legislative Director Issue Areas: Agriculture, Eminent Domain, Land Use Regulation and Rural Affairs Email:
[email protected] Mike Pacheco, Associate Legislative Director Issue Areas: Criminal Justice, Energy, Elections, Taxes, Transportation, Utility Regulation and Tort Email:
[email protected] Billy Howe, Associate Government Affairs Director Issue Areas: Natural Resources and Environmental Regulations Email:
[email protected] https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1127762388763&format=html&print=true
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Austin Newsletter
Waco Office Phone: 2547512208
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If you would like immediate updates on the action in Austin, follow the Legislative staff on Twitter. Jim Reaves @jimreaves Billy Howe @TFBGovAff_Billy Marissa Patton @TFBAUS_Marissa Mike Pacheco @TFBAUS_Mike You can also search for our Hashtag #TXFBAustin
Austin Office
Contact State Office
600 W. 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701 512.472.8288 Fax: 512.472.9120
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