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April 6, 2001

TFB leaders descend
on state capitol

Texas Farm Bureau will have to work "harder and smarter" as the state legislature starts work on redrawing the political districts of Texas.

Redistricting will result in rural areas of the state having fewer representatives when the legislature next meets in 2003, TFB President Donald Patman told county Farm Bureau leaders from across the state March 20 at Leader Day in Austin.

"Does this mean our legislative efforts are doomed?" Patman asked. "Certainly not! Will it mean that we will have to work harder and smarter to achieve our goals? Absolutely!"

Redistricting, however, will have an immediate impact on Texas agriculture, the TFB president said, including the following:

•TFB members need to redouble their efforts on the current legislative agenda because it is likely rural representation will shrink in the future.

•TFB members must continue to build relationships with all legislators, urban and rural alike.

•TFB members must utilize all the communication tools available, including telephone contacts, letters, e-mail and personal visits.

•TFB members must stand with those legislators who stand up for agriculture.

Patman also reminded the leaders to stress their grassroots origin during their legislative visits.

"It might be helpful to remember that you are part of something bigger than one farmer or rancher," he stressed. "In Farm Bureau—together—our influence is greater than the sum of our membership. That influence is increased because you and other members are active."

Among issues covered in the briefing by the TFB legislative staff:

•SB 2 by Sen. Buster Brown. This bill addresses the development and management of the water resources of the state. Although TFB opposes the bill as filed, TFB staffers were confident compromises could be worked out that would make the bill acceptable to agriculture.

•HB 377 by Rep. Bob Turner and SB 438 by Sen. Frank Madla. These bills would allow the fair market of natural resources to be included in the assessment of damages in a condemnation proceeding. TFB supports these bills.

•SB 331 by Sen. Tom Haywood. This bill creates broad policy statements for Texas to consider and address in the future in dealing with the agriculture industry. TFB supports.

•HB 2709 by Rep. Judy Hawley. This bill says an electric utility may not use its power of condemnation to construct, operate or maintain a line unless the electric utility follows existing utility rights-of-way; follows other existing rights-of-way, if it is not feasible to follow existing rights-of-way; or follows existing property lines to the extent feasible, if it is not feasible to follow other existing rights-of-way. TFB supports.

•HB 1086 by Rep. Jim Solis and SB 398 by Sen. Robert Duncan. This bill amends the Agriculture Code to require the Department of Agriculture to develop a program to award grants to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of collecting and distributing surplus agricultural products to food banks and other charitable organizations that serve needy or low-income individuals. TFB supports.

•HB 611 by Rep. Bob Turner and SB 65 by Sen. Mike Moncrief. These bills allow pharmacies to provide services to other parts of the state through telepharmacy systems. The bill requires those systems be under continuous supervision of a pharmacist in person or through audio/video communications. The telepharmacy may not be in communities where a pharmacy is already located. TFB supports.