Last week, TNLA hosted a webinar with Jeremy Mazur, one of Texas’ leading voices on water policy, to examine how Proposition 4 and other statewide initiatives could shape the future of our state’s water supply, conservation, and infrastructure. Proposition 4—on the ballot this November—would dedicate $1 billion per year from existing sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund producing up to $20 billion of new funding over the next 20 years.

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Jeremy emphasized that while new funding tools are essential, Texas’ long-term water security will ultimately depend on sustained infrastructure investment and close collaboration among utilities, landscapers, growers, and irrigators. He highlighted the role TNLA members already play in leading the way—designing sustainable landscapes, advancing efficient irrigation practices, and advocating for balanced policies that promote both conservation and customer choice.
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 📺 Watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/lq-BuOC35qY
🎧 Listen to the full conversation here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfv6buk 

Water is the lifeline of our industry. Whether you’re a landscaper, grower, or irrigator, your ability to thrive depends on the reliability and rules of the system that supplies your water. Yet many Texans don’t know who their actual water purveyor is, or what authority sets the policies that affect their operations.

Understanding this is not just good business, it’s essential for protecting your livelihood and preparing for the future.

Step 1: Identify Your Water Provider
Your water can come from several types of sources:

🏙️City or Municipal Utility – Common in urban and suburban areas. These utilities often adopt drought contingency plans, watering restrictions, and rate structures that directly impact landscapes and irrigation.
🏢Private Provider or Investor-Owned Utility – Smaller systems that are still regulated but may have different policies and pricing structures.
🪣Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) – In many rural areas, a GCD manages groundwater pumping and permits. Districts were created at different times with different powers, so the rules vary greatly across Texas. TNLA supports GCDs being managed through locally elected boards rather than top-down mandates.
🗺️No District at All – In some areas, there is no conservation district, which can leave water users exposed to less oversight but also fewer protections for long-term supply.

To find your provider, check your most recent water bill or your county’s water utility listings. For groundwater users, consult the Texas Water Development Board’s list of GCDs.


Step 2: Learn Their Rules and Plans
Once you know your purveyor, the next step is to understand the framework that governs them:

🚦Drought Contingency Plans – These dictate how and when watering restrictions are implemented. For example, a Stage 1 drought may limit outdoor watering to twice a week, while Stage 3 could ban it altogether, which could mean nurseries, growers, and landscapers could face severe impacts if not prepared. Click here for an example of Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan.
🏗️Infrastructure Investments – Many utilities are building new or expanding existing treatment plants, negotiating water supply contracts, or exploring aquifer storage. These projects will affect both reliability and cost.


Step 3: Understand Regional Water Planning
Texas is divided into 16 Regional Water Planning Groups. Every five years, these groups develop plans that feed into the State Water Plan. Each plan identifies future supply needs and strategies to meet them.

If you’re in the green industry, you should know which region you’re in and review the plan.

• Irrigators are legally required to be represented in this process, but growers and landscapers have a stake too—because conservation targets, drought triggers, and water supply projects all ripple down to our members.

Step 4: Know Your Source
Different water sources bring different risks and rules:

🌊Surface Water (Rivers, Reservoirs) – Prone to drought shortages, often tied to large contracts with entities like the Brazos River Authority or Colorado River system.
💦Groundwater – Can be reliable, but subject to pumping limits or well spacing rules if a GCD is in place.
🔀Mixed Supply – Many cities now diversify, combining surface water contracts with groundwater leases.

The source matters because conservation policies often reflect their vulnerability. For example, a city reliant on surface water may adopt tighter outdoor watering restrictions than one with strong groundwater supplies.


Step 5: Put It into Practice
Once you understand who your purveyor is, take these steps:

1. 🤝Introduce Yourself – Reach out to your city’s conservation staff or GCD board. TNLA has seen the value of being a resource, not just a customer.
2. 🔔Stay Informed – Sign up for drought stage notifications, attend utility meetings, and review regional water plans.
3. 📣Be a Voice – Remind decision-makers that landscapes, nurseries, and irrigation systems are not optional luxuries but vital infrastructure for cooling cities, preserving green space, and supporting Texas’ economy. TNLA advocates for conservation that balances efficiency with customer choice.

Final Thought
Water policy in Texas is not one-size-fits-all. Districts were created at different times, under different laws, and with different powers. But no matter where you live or work, one fact is true: knowing your water purveyor and engaging with them gives you a seat at the table.

Our industry is part of the solution. By working with water providers and planning groups, we can ensure that Texas landscapes stay vibrant, sustainable, and resilient for generations to come.


📬 Questions or need help?
Contact Karan Mehta, Legislative & Regulatory Manager – [email protected]

This week, from Monday through Wednesday, TNLA was in Washington, D.C. as part of AmericanHort’s Impact Washington Fly-In. Texas brought one of the largest state delegations in the country to advocate and educate our U.S. Senators and Representatives. Nine TNLA members participated alongside more than 120 advocates from across the nation.
These fly-ins are always fast and frantic, as we zigzag across Capitol Hill to meet with as many legislators and staff as possible. But they are also one of the most important ways we make sure the voice of the Texas green industry is heard in our nation’s capital.

Workforce & Labor (H-2A & H-2B)
Our industry depends on seasonal and year-round workers to grow, install, and maintain landscapes. The H-2A and H-2B visa programs are vital, but both need reform. We called on Congress to expand access, streamline applications, and modernize wage calculations so that businesses can meet labor needs while keeping costs predictable. Without these improvements, growers and landscape businesses face growing shortages that threaten their ability to operate.

Tariffs, Trade & Supply Chain
Tariffs on key horticulture inputs are driving up costs across the board. Many of these products cannot be produced anywhere in the U.S.—leaving green industy businesses no alternatives. We urged Congress to support a transparent and functional exclusion process so businesses can reliably access the inputs they need without being burdened by unfair costs.

Farm Bill
The Farm Bill expires on October 1, 2025. While it’s a cornerstone for agriculture, too often specialty crops and horticulture are left out. Current programs lock our industry out of crop insurance and other protections. We pushed for a bipartisan Farm Bill that reflects the realities of horticulture, ensuring access to risk management tools and expanding support for nursery, greenhouse, and landscape operations.

From labor shortages to supply chain costs to ensuring our growers have a safety net, these policies directly affect the health and competitiveness of Texas’ horticulture industry. Trips like this Fly-In show how TNLA is actively fighting for our members’ businesses—from Washington, D.C. to back home in Texas.

Contact Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Curtis Smith by email [email protected] or call him at 512-579-3851 or  Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Manager, Karan Mehta by email [email protected] or call him at 512-579-3874

Bell County now marks the furthest south the invasive pest has been confirmed in the U.S.
The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been newly confirmed in Jack, Navarro, Somervell, Bell, and Rockwall counties, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Notably, Bell County’s detection marks the southernmost known presence of EAB in the United States—a major milestone in the pest’s expansion and a growing threat to Texas ash tree populations.


🪲 What is Emerald Ash Borer?
The emerald ash borer is a destructive, exotic beetle that infests and kills ash trees by burrowing beneath the bark and cutting off the flow of water and nutrients. Once infested, ash trees typically die within 2–3 years.
EAB was first confirmed in Texas in 2016 and has now been detected in 31 counties statewide. The latest confirmations in 2024 represent a notable southward jump, increasing the risk for nurseries, landscapes, and natural ash populations across Central Texas.
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Counties Affected

The USDA Interactive Map displays confirmed detections across the U.S., including the growing number in Texas.

What’s Being Done to Tackle It
The Texas A&M Forest Service is leading surveillance and outreach efforts to slow the spread of EAB. Confirmed counties are subject to state quarantines that restrict the movement of ash wood products to prevent further dispersal. Ongoing education and early detection efforts are critical tools in protecting remaining ash populations.


Key Considerations for TNLA Members

• If you grow or handle ash trees, especially in newly affected or adjacent counties, consult the TDA’s quarantine guidelines.
• Expect increased regulatory scrutiny around movement of nursery stock, wood products, and green waste.
• Landscape companies and urban foresters should monitor ash trees for dieback symptoms and woodpecker activity.

Here are some of the symptoms that are key to notice:

• Dead branches near the top of a tree
• Leafy shoots sprouting from the trunk.
• Bark splits exposing s-shaped larval galleries.
• Extensive woodpecker activity
• D‐shaped exit holes

Stay Informed

• Visit the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Emerald Ash Borer Hub for the latest maps, detection protocols, and resources.

Next Steps from TNLA
TNLA is monitoring the EAB expansion and will continue to work with federal, state, and local officials to ensure members remain informed and compliant. If you have questions about how EAB may impact your nursery or landscape operation, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]

The proposed overhaul of Texas’ congressional map—pushed by President Donald Trump—is designed to give the GOP five additional seats in next year’s midterm elections. While the newly drafted lines would likely deliver some Republican pickups, an analysis of the redistricting plan suggests that a full five-seat gain is far from guaranteed.
These changes, based on 2020 census data, could help solidify Republican control in up to 30 of Texas’ 38 congressional districts—a significant shift with long-term implications for the green industry’s federal priorities.


🔄 Key Districts to Watch
Two South Texas districts remain highly competitive—and one carries particular importance for TNLA:
👉 Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28, Laredo)
👉 Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34, McAllen)

Both represent districts that leaned Republican in the last presidential election, yet they successfully held onto their seats. The new map makes each district slightly more conservative—a calculated gamble banking on continued GOP gains among Hispanic voters.

For TNLA, Congressman Cuellar is a critical ally. He has been one of the most consistent and vocal champions of the H-2A and H-2B guest worker programs, which are essential to the nursery and landscape industry. His leadership has helped secure program stability, visa processing improvements, and continued momentum toward year-round labor solutions.

🗳️ As redistricting reshapes the political landscape, TNLA is watching closely—not just for shifts in party control, but for how these changes could impact federal advocacy for the green industry.


🔵 Other Competitive Districts
Several Democratic-held urban and suburban districts could also become heavily Republican—under the proposed map. These include:
• TX-9 – Rep. Al Green (Houston)
• TX-32 – Rep. Julie Johnson (Dallas suburbs)
• TX-35 – Rep. Greg Casar (San Antonio to Austin)
If adopted, these changes could turn currently blue districts into strong-performing Republican seats, further reshaping the state’s congressional delegation.


🧠 Why This Matters to TNLA Members
Programs like H-2A and H-2B are the backbone of a reliable workforce for TNLA members. Continued engagement with trusted allies like Rep. Cuellar ensures our industry’s needs are front and center in Washington.

Your voice—and your vote—matter. They help protect essential workforce programs and ensure support for pro-industry champions in the 2026 election cycle.
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Stay tuned for more updates as TNLA continues to monitor congressional developments and advocate on your behalf.

In this exclusive sit-down with TNLA President & CEO Amy Graham, newly elected Chairman Devin Guinn shares his vision for the year ahead. From fostering growth and supporting diversity to navigating leadership transitions, Devin reflects on how TNLA has shaped his journey—starting with a pivotal introduction to EXPO by past TNLA Chairman Tim Little. Watch the full interview to hear how TNLA’s connections became the backbone of his success and what’s next for our association.

The Texas Legislature is back in session, and while 17 items are on the agenda, one stands out for the green industry: impact fees tied to water and development.


Here’s what you need to know:

📌 What’s Happening
Lawmakers are revisiting SB 1253, a bill that would require cities to offer credits on impact fees when developers go above and beyond to conserve water or reduce wastewater.

🧾 Why This Matters
​Cities use impact fees to fund water and sewer infrastructure for new developments. But these fees have gotten expensive—really expensive:

• Austin: $7,700 per single-family home
• San Antonio: $7,343–$11,528 depending on location
• Houston: $1,618
• Fort Worth: $2,999
  
  

With the average home around $300,000, these costs are adding up—and pricing people out.

🏗️ What It Means for Our Industry

• Pro: SB 1253 encourages smarter development and conservation.
• Con: Cities could tie lower fees to stricter landscape design rules—like mandatory plant lists or layouts.
  
  
  

The bill passed earlier this year but was vetoed due to unrelated politics. Now it’s back—and TNLA is tracking it closely to ensure any changes benefit your business and keep design flexibility intact.
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We'll continue to keep you informed as this develops.

We’re excited to share great news--HB 1592 is now law in Texas, creating a statewide pest and plant disease alert system through Texas A&M AgriLife.

This important legislation was authored by Rep. Mihaela Plesa, sponsored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, and backed by strong bipartisan support. It moved smoothly through the Capitol and was allowed to become law by Governor Greg Abbott.

What Does HB 1592 Do?
The new law creates a real-time, email-based alert system to notify:

• Growers
• Landscapers
• Government agencies
• Even home gardeners

when a harmful pest or plant disease is detected in Texas. This opt-in system means faster action, less damage, and stronger protection for crops, landscapes, and native plants.

Why It Matters
✔️ Faster response times to outbreaks
✔️ Less damage to plants and landscapes
✔️ More protection for Texas ecosystems and the green industry
✔️ Better preparedness for changing weather and pest patterns

From nurseries and retail centers to city parks and farms, this new tool gives Texans a better way to protect the plants we depend on.


TNLA Member Voices Made the Difference
We’re proud that Bill Carson of Native Texas Nursery testified in support of the bill. His voice—and the support of TNLA members across the state—helped lawmakers understand the real-world need for this kind of early warning system.
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Looking Ahead
When HB 1592 reached the Governor’s desk on May 25, we celebrated. Now that it’s law, we celebrate again—knowing that Texas is better prepared to fight invasive species and plant health threats.

This is more than just a policy win. It’s a step forward for:

• Public-private partnerships
• Science-backed decision-making
• And protecting the future of Texas’ green economy