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Texas Agriculture Archive

October 3, 2003

New licensed electrician law needs rewiring...

On Sept. 1, 2004 a new law will go into effect that will could impact Texas farmers and ranchers.

H.B. 1487 by Rep. Joe Driver of Garland requires electrical work to be done by a licensed electrician. While this may make sense in these new housing developments popping up outside the cities, it doesn't make a lot of sense for farms, ranches, or rural homesteads.

The only exemption in the new law allows a homeowner to do their own electrical work. However, that leaves a lot of territory uncovered for agriculture. Farmers and ranchers have been doing their own electrical work for generations. And, wiring a few lights in a barn isn't exactly brain surgery. It also impacts wiring equipment such as irrigation systems and water wells.

Texas Farm Bureau is working with other agricultural organizations to take advantage of the Texas Legislature being in Austin for this special session. We are asking legislators to exempt any electrical work done on property used for agriculture. Sen. Teel Bivins of Amarillo has agreed to sponsor a change to the law which will exempt any electrical work done on property used for agriculture purposes. He has been contacted by several of his constituents concerned with the new law, and as an agriculture producer, he understands the hardship it causes.

If we are unsuccessful in securing an exemption for agriculture this special session, the next special session in April or May on public school finance will provide another opportunity. Since the new law will not go into effect until Sept. 1, 2004, it can still be changed before farmers and ranchers would be restricted from doing their own electrical work.

We encourage any member of the Texas Farm Bureau who is concerned with this new law to contact their state representative and senator in Austin. With the support of our grassroots membership, Texas Farm Bureau can get this agriculture exemption wired through the Texas Legislature.