Texas Legislative Update: What Business Owners Need to Know This May

5/2/2025

As the 2025 Texas Legislative Session enters its final stretch, several key bills are moving forward that could impact your business, your land, and your workforce. TNLA is closely monitoring these proposals and working to ensure your voice is heard in Austin. Here are the highlights:

🚨 Mandatory E-Verify for All Employers
Senate Bill 324 (by Senator Kolkhorst) has passed the Senate and is headed to the House. If it becomes law, every Texas business—public and private—would be required to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the legal work status of all new hires.

✅ What this means for you:

Another layer of regulation and paperwork
Time and resources needed to train staff and update hiring procedures
Extra burden, especially for small businesses operating on tight margins

TNLA is in active conversations with lawmakers to ensure this bill is implemented fairly and with small business concerns in mind.

🌎 Foreign Ownership of Land Restrictions
Senate Bill 17 (by Kolkhorst and Hefner) aims to ban certain foreign entities from buying land in Texas, including agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential property. The goal is national security, targeting countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
⚠️ While U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are exempt, the bill has raised concerns about:

Unintended consequences for landowners
Potential damage to foreign investment and growth in rural Texas

TNLA is watching this bill closely and urging lawmakers to consider how it might impact agriculture and green industry sectors.

🪴 Plant Pest Alert System Moving Forward
There’s good news for growers and landscape pros: House Bill 1592 (by Rep. Plesa and supported by TNLA) has passed the Texas House!

📢 This bill creates an opt-in email alert system to notify you of pest and plant disease outbreaks across Texas—helping businesses respond quickly and protect their crops and landscapes. The system will be managed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

♻️ Protecting Composting and Sustainability
TNLA is also working on several bills related to food waste composting facilities (SB 2078/HB 4086 and HB 4271/SB 2240). These efforts come in response to proposed changes in Lee County.
We’re working to make sure any new policies:

Support the sustainability goals of our industry
Protect composting infrastructure
Keep the green industry growing responsibly

TNLA Is Working for You
We’re actively engaged in advocacy every step of the way—reviewing language, testifying at hearings, and keeping members informed. Your business, your land, and your workforce matter to us.

Stay tuned for more updates as the session continues—and thank you for being a part of TNLA.

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Key Legislative Proposals That Could Impact the Texas Green Industry

2/26/2025

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As the legislative session moves forward, several bills have been introduced that could have a direct impact on the nursery and landscape industry in Texas. From tax exemptions on agricultural inputs to water conservation policies and HOA regulations, these proposals could shape the way our industry operates for years to come.

Below is a list of key bills that TNLA is monitoring—if any of these affect your business, please reach out with your thoughts, concerns, or insights. Your feedback is invaluable as we work to advocate for policies that support the Texas Green Industry.

Tax Relief for Agricultural Inputs
HB 255 / HJR 31 by Rep. Guillen

This bill would exempt agricultural inputs from the inventory tax, including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other resources essential for plant production.
A major win for growers and producers, helping lower costs and support agricultural businesses.

Right to Farm Protections
HB 1964 by Spiller & SB 1035 by Sparks

Provides attorney fee provisions under the Right to Farm statute, ensuring that farmers and ranchers can recover legal costs when forced to challenge city regulations that threaten their livelihood.
Strengthens legal protections for agricultural producers facing unnecessary regulatory burdens.

Landscaping & Water Conservation
HB 1424 by Rep. Goodwin

Allows municipal water utilities to implement tiered pricing structures to encourage conservation, with excessive users paying higher rates.
This could impact large-scale landscaping and irrigation costs.

HB 1245 by Rep. Goodwin

Would require utilities to prohibit irrigation of commercial nonfunctional turf during drought conditions and enforce penalties for violations.
Introduces new definitions for “functional” and “nonfunctional turf,” which could have broad implications for commercial and residential landscapes.

HB 2269 by Rep. Isaac

Prohibits homeowners’ associations (HOAs) from requiring homeowners to install or maintain grass or turf landscaping.

SB 542 by Sen. Schwertner (Companion Bills: Rep. Harris-Davilla & Rep. Goodwin)

Prohibits HOAs from fining homeowners if their lawns become brown or discolored due to local utility restrictions.
Protects homeowners from unfair penalties while supporting water conservation efforts.

E-Verify Mandates for Government Contracts
HB 323 (Spiller), HB 1019 (Shaheen), HB 1308 (Tepper), HB 1488 (Louderback), HB 2744 (Vasut), SB 324 (Kolkhorst)

Multiple bills have been filed requiring all governmental entities in Texas to use E-Verify for their employees and those they contract with.

Compost Use in TxDOT Projects
SB 736 by Sen. Menéndez

Requires TxDOT to use at least 25% compost in its projects, standardizing a practice that some districts already follow.
This could increase demand for compost production and recycling within the industry.

Environmental Regulations
HB 1637 by Rep. Hull

Prohibits the use of herbicides containing glyphosate on the grounds of public or private schools, with an exception for crops grown as part of a curriculum.
Could impact how landscapers and groundskeepers manage vegetation on school properties.

HB 3054 by Rep. Briscoe Cain

Prohibits governmental entities, including state agencies, counties, and cities and more, from planting trees that are not native to any part of Texas.
Texas A&M AgriLife would be responsible for creating a list of trees considered native to the state.
This could significantly impact municipal landscaping projects and tree selection in public spaces.

Additional Bills to Watch
HJR 97 & HB 1370 (Rep. Raymond) – Proposes a constitutional amendment for property tax exemptions on xeriscaped land to promote water conservation.
HB 1592 (Rep. Plesa) – A refiled TNLA-supported bill that would require AgriLife to establish a statewide alert system for dangerous plants, pests, and diseases.

Get Involved – Your Voice Matters!
As these bills progress, TNLA needs to hear from you! If any of these proposals impact your business, please share your questions, concerns, or insights with us. Member input helps shape our advocacy efforts and ensures we are fighting for policies that support the industry.

Reach out to me at [email protected] to discuss how these legislative efforts might affect your business.
Let’s work together to protect and strengthen the Texas Green Industry!

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Texas Legislative Update: What Business Owners Need to Know This May

Key Legislative Proposals That Could Impact the Texas Green Industry

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