More Dead Bills After Yesterday's Deadline

Yesterday was the last day for the House to consider senate bills or joint resolutions on third reading and the last day for the Senate to consider any bills or joint resolutions on third reading. Here is a list of bills and resolutions that have died:

TLC Supported

• Eminent Domain Reform: HJR 31 by Anderson, HJR 65 by Davis, SB 18 by Estes, SB 533 by Duncan, and SB 622 by Hegar
  
• Agricultural Valuation Property Tax Rollback: HB 2230 by Parker
• Voluntary NAIS: SB 682 by Eltife
  

TLC Opposed

• Land Use Mitigation Authority: SB 688 by Wentworth
  
• County Regulatory Land Use Authority: SB 578, SB 2202, SB 2451, and SB 2452 by Wentworth; SB 1226 and SB 1227 by Fraser; SB 1370 by Lucio; SB 2222 and SB 2223 by Van de Putte (amended into HB 2919 by S. King); SB 2439 by Uresti (amended into HB 2919 by S. King); and SB 2555 by Hegar
  
• Groundwater District Authority: SB 2530 by Wentworth
  
• Agricultural Valuation Property Tax Rollback: SB 678 by Shapleigh
  

Groups Show Support for SB 682

Yesterday, Jimmy and leaders of Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Texas Eagle Forum, Keller Horse Owners Association, US Boer Goat Association, Mid South Natural Organic Farms, and Texas Farmers Union testified in support of SB 682 by Eltife before the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committtee.

The bill would keep USDA's National Animal Identification System (NAIS) voluntary in Texas until the federal government makes the program mandatory, would allow participants to withdraw at any time, and would prohibit a person from making participation in any other program (stock show, etc.) contingent on participation in NAIS.

Representatives from Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) gave neutral testimony on the bill and offered their concerns about NAIS' potential costs and liability for producers. TSCRA's website, however, states that the organization opposes SB 682.

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) and Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) gave testimony opposing the bill. TFB's policy supports a voluntary NAIS but TFB contends that the bill is unnecessary and imposes a fee on participants. TCFA's policy supports a mandatory NAIS.

SB 682 was left pending in committee.

Senate Ag Hearing Monday, March 23rd

The Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee has scheduled SB 682 by Eltife for public hearing on Monday, March 23rd at 3 pm in E1.012 at the Capitol. TLC will testify in support of this bill, which would keep USDA's National Animal Identification System (NAIS) voluntary in Texas until it becomes mandatory at the federal level and would also allow participants to withdraw from the program at any time.

SB 682's companion in the House, HB 3322 by Kleinschmidt, has been referred to the House Agriculture & Livestock Committee but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

Fighting the Good Fight Against NAIS

TLC, along with 59 other organizations, has signed on to letters to the US Senate and the Obama Administration written by Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Executive Director Judith McGeary. These letters voice opposition to USDA's National Animal Identification System (NAIS) that threatens to bankrupt small farm and ranching operations throughout the US.

Today the US House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry held a hearing on "animal identification programs." This subcommittee has two members from Texas: K. Michael Conaway (202-225-3605 or 866-882-3811) and Randy Neugebauer, Ranking Minority Member (202-225-4005 or 888-763-1611). TLC has active members who own land in both US Representatives' districts.

At the Texas Legislature, TLC supports SB 682 by Eltife and its companion HB 3322 by Kleinschmidt, which would keep NAIS voluntary in Texas and allow participants to opt out at any time.