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Texas Agriculture Archive

July 4, 2003

Session's good for agriculture

By Kenneth Dierschke

President
Texas Farm Bureau

The 78^th Session of the Texas Legislature began amid the gloom and doom forecasts generated by a projected $10 billion budget shortfall, but ended as one of the best sessions for agriculture we've had in quite some time.

Texas Farm Bureau accomplished most of our policy goals during the 140-day session. It was not all positive. While most agricultural programs received some budget cuts that may sting a little, levels of service to farmers and ranchers should not be drastically affected. Cuts were made across the board in virtually every state program and we knew going in that we would have to share in that. In fact, Farm Bureau policy states "we favor additional cuts in state spending before considering increased taxation."

New legislation was passed that stands to protect the property rights of farmers and ranchers. High on the Farm Bureau's list was a bill to require cities to pay the fair market value of water beneath property that is condemned for the purpose of acquiring the water rights. This bill passed and Governor Rick Perry signed it. Currently, government entities have to pay only the market value of the land.

Also, the city acquiring the land must first prove that it has developed a drought contingency plan, implemented water conservation measures, pursued alternative water supplies, attempted to voluntarily buy or lease the water rights and prove a need for the water within the next 10 years for domestic use. This is an important victory for Texas farmers and ranchers.

Also on the property rights front, landowner participation payments in transportation corridors are now possible due to action by the Legislature. Farm Bureau has long sought a system of royalty payments when land is condemned for utility or highway rights of way. This is particularly timely with plans under way for the Trans Texas Corridor.

We think this is an important step forward. Rather than simply losing property to eminent domain proceedings, landowners can participate in the profits generated by these transportation corridors.

The Legislature also moved to protect the personal information of ranchers who use predator control services. Previously, animal rights groups had moved to acquire the names of participants who used these services. Farm Bureau took action in the courts to stop the release and now the Legislature has voted to exempt this personal information from the open records law. We believe this bill was important to protect the privacy and safety of our members.

The Legislature also helped farmers and ranchers deal with the growing problem of feral hogs. Wild hogs, commonly known as feral hogs, have been a destructive force in rural Texas for decades. The Legislature approved a bill allowing farmers to control the hogs without being required to purchase a hunting license.

Governor Perry signed these and other bills important to Farm Bureau. We believe this legislation is good policy for Texas and for agriculture.