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

A high-profile battle over groundwater in East Texas is drawing attention from lawmakers, water districts, and industry leaders across the state — including many TNLA members in East Texas and the Dallas–Fort Worth area.


Recently, WFAA published a detailed report on Dallas investor Kyle Bass’s plan to pump up to 15 billion gallons of water each year from rural East Texas. The project has sparked fierce local opposition and renewed debate over Texas’s century-old groundwater laws.


Legislative Response
In response, State Representative Cody Harris (R–Palestine), Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has filed a package of bills aimed at modernizing Texas’s groundwater rules. While he has urged the Governor to add them to the current Special Session agenda, it remains uncertain whether they will be taken up before the next regular legislative session in 2027.

Two bills in particular have emerged as his top priorities:

• HB 216 – Would limit how much groundwater a single permit holder can pump and transfer out of a groundwater conservation district. For new permits issued after the bill’s effective date, no single permit could authorize production and export of more than 5% of the district’s total modeled available groundwater, as determined by the Texas Water Development Board.
• HB 218 – Would require greater regional oversight for large-scale groundwater transfers. For wells capable of producing 25,000 gallons or more per day, the originating district would need to notify all other districts in its management area. At least two-thirds of those districts would need to approve the permit before it could be granted, with boards required to consider the impact on long-term water availability.

A Broader Debate Over Texas Water Law
The publicity surrounding Bass’s proposal has reignited conversations about the “rule of capture” — the nearly 120-year-old doctrine that allows landowners to pump as much groundwater as they want from beneath their property, regardless of impacts to neighboring wells.
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Lawmakers, local water districts, and stakeholders are now discussing what could be the most significant overhaul of groundwater governance in state history. Proposals under discussion include:

• Expanding state oversight
• Strengthening local conservation districts
• Potential major reforms to the rule of capture altogether

TNLA will continue monitoring these developments closely. Any changes to Texas groundwater law could have significant implications for our industry, and we will keep members informed as the legislative conversation unfolds. Questions? Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]

On July 4, 2025, H.R. 1—known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—was signed into law. At 870 pages, it’s one of the most sweeping federal laws in recent history. But here’s the bottom line for TNLA members: it includes some powerful wins for your business.

Here’s what matters most:
🌿 529 Plans Can Now Fund Certifications
You can now use 529 education savings to cover industry licenses—like irrigator training, pesticide applicator certification, or landscape credentials. This makes workforce development more accessible for young professionals in our industry.

🔧 Full Write-Offs for Equipment & R&D
Businesses can now fully expense:

• New equipment purchases (tractors, irrigation systems, etc.)
• Research and development costs in the year spent

That means lower tax bills and more room to innovate and invest.

🏦 Loan Interest Deductions Restored
Businesses that borrow to buy land, expand greenhouses, or manage inventory can now deduct more interest expenses, thanks to the return of EBITDA-based limits.

💼 199A Pass-Through Deduction Made Permanent
The Qualified Business Income deduction for S-corps, LLCs, and sole proprietors now increases from 20% to 23% starting in 2026. That’s more relief for small and mid-sized businesses.

🌱 Expanded Grower Support & Plant Protection

• Increased funding for Specialty Crop Block Grants
• Boosted dollars for invasive pest management
• Extended citrus disease research funding
• More than doubled funds for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative

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These provisions mean long-term investment in plant health, crop resilience, and industry sustainability.

The Takeaway:
While the bill didn’t fix everything (especially on the labor side), it delivers significant financial and operational benefits for Texas green industry businesses. TNLA will continue monitoring how funding rolls out—and will keep pushing for additional reforms where they’re needed most.

If your business depends on seasonal help through the H-2B visa program, there’s some promising news coming out of the U.S. House—but still roadblocks in the Senate.

In late June, lawmakers in the House advanced an important amendment to the FY26 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. This amendment would allow long-time users of the H-2B program—employers who’ve participated in any of the last five years—to bring in the same number of workers again, without counting against the annual federal cap.
This would give law-abiding employers more predictability, reduce lottery risk, and help protect your business from labor disruptions.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate didn’t include any H-2B reform in H.R. 1, the sweeping legislation recently signed into law. A proposal to create a “Certified Seasonal Employer” designation was removed late in the process after stalling over disagreements with the White House.

What’s Next:

• All eyes are now on the final version of the FY26 Homeland Security bill.
• TNLA is actively working with Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) and key House committees to ensure H-2B protections stay in.
• We’re also continuing to push the White House to support workforce solutions for Texas growers, landscapers, and suppliers.

Your voice helps keep the pressure on. TNLA will keep fighting for the labor tools your business needs.

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

On June 11, TNLA’s Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Curtis Smith, joined a coalition of chambers of commerce, trade associations, and directly impacted individuals in Austin for a roundtable hosted by FWD.us and the Texas Association of Business, marking the 13th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.

Moderated by Glenn Hamer, President & CEO of the Texas Association of Business, the event brought together Texas business leaders to underscore a shared message: DACA recipients are vital to our workforce—and our future.

“I have seen firsthand how DACA recipients strengthen our workforce every day,” said Curtis Smith. “They are critical to keeping our industries competitive, and we need policies that reflect their value to our state and our economy.”

📉 The Threat of Losing DACA Protections Is Real—and Costly
Participants heard testimony from Edilsa Lopez, an Austin-based DACA recipient and accountant, as well as updates from FWD.us policy staff on the current legal and political landscape surrounding DACA. The event highlighted the widespread economic risk posed by ending the program.

Key data shared at the roundtable included:

• 70,000 DACA recipients in Texas could be forced out of the workforce
• 34,000 additional jobs would disappear if DACA-owned businesses closed
• $37 billion in projected economic losses to Texas
• $782 million in annual lost revenue for state and local governments
• $227 million in annual business income losses

🧾 Additional Background: The DACA Policy Legal Landscape
The legal future of DACA remains uncertain—especially for Texas.
As of now, the Texas v. United States DACA case is returning to Judge Hanen, following no petitions being filed to escalate the case to the U.S. Supreme Court by the May 19 deadline. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals instructed Judge Hanen to revise his prior ruling.

Here's what that means:

• DACA work authorization is considered unlawful in Texas only.
• Texas DACA recipients retain deportation protection but could lose their right to work.
• In the other 49 states, full DACA benefits remain intact, including the ability to work.
• DACA renewals are still permitted in all 50 states, but initial applications remain frozen nationwide.
• Judge Hanen must now determine how Texas transitions from full to partial DACA benefits.

For now, the status quo remains—but changes could be imminent, especially for the Texas-based workforce.

🌱 Why This Matters to the Green Industry
The Texas nursery and landscape industry already faces a growing labor shortage. DACA recipients have become essential contributors—whether on farms, in nurseries, or running their own businesses.

At TNLA, we continue to push for practical, bipartisan workforce policies that reflect the current needs of our members and the economic realities of doing business in Texas.
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Have questions about DACA, TNLA’s workforce advocacy, or how this could impact your business?
📩 Reach out to Curtis Smith at [email protected]

You may have seen that President Trump has announced another 30-day pause on tariffs for "USMCA-compliant goods" coming from Canada and Mexico. Under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), products qualify for trade benefits if they are entirely made in one of the three countries or meet strict regional value standards—usually 75% or higher. Based on these criteria, peat moss should qualify for this 30 day pause on tariffs, though TNLA members should talk to their suppliers for confirmation.


This latest pause is a positive sign, but it is not permanent. We are continuing to push for long-term solutions, and momentum is building. Just this week, House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) specifically raised the importance of peat moss with the White House:


“I absolutely am weighing in … things like potash, nitrogen, I’d throw peat moss in there, too, because that’s important to horticulture and mushroom growers,” Thompson said in a Politico article. “I’m not bashful about weighing in with the White House. I got a great relationship with everyone, including the president. The worst thing that can happen is they’ll say no.”

What happens next?
We are working with a coalition of partners who have sent letters to key leaders, including:

• The House and Senate Agriculture Committees
• The House Ways and Means Committee
• The Senate Finance Committee
• President Trump and Vice President Vance

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Our message is clear:
✅ Exclude sphagnum peat moss and peat-based products from any tariffs, or
✅ Grant peat moss "critical mineral" status, which could protect it from future trade restrictions.
In the meantime, things remain extremely fluid at the federal level. The situation in Washington, D.C., is being described as chaotic, with many industries scrambling to protect their supply chains from unexpected tariffs.
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TNLA is working hard to protect our industry’s access to critical materials like peat moss, and we will keep you updated every step of the way.

Two key leaders in the Texas Legislature have filed major proposals that could dedicate $1 billion every year to support water projects across Texas. This money would be in addition to the $2.5 billion of one-time funding which is in both the House and Senate budgets.


To make this happen, they are proposing constitutional amendments. In Texas, this is the only way to automatically set aside state funding for a specific purpose, like water, and protect it from shifting priorities in future legislative sessions. For these amendments to become reality, they’ll need two-thirds approval from lawmakers and voter approval in November.


Here’s a quick look at the two approaches:

• Senator Charles Perry’s proposal dedicates 80% of the funding to creating new water supplies, including projects like desalination, aquifer storage, and water reuse.
• Representative Cody Harris’s proposal allows for more flexible spending, supporting a wider range of needs like repairing old pipes, upgrading infrastructure, water conservation, and public education on water use.

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Both of these proposals are significant steps toward securing long-term, reliable water funding for Texas, and TNLA is actively monitoring and engaging on your behalf as these ideas move through the legislative process.

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.
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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.
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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!

Make an Impact: Join TNLA Legislative Day at the Capitol
​The 2025 TNLA Legislative Day at the Capitol is fast approaching, and your participation is more important than ever. This annual event, happening March 13, is a key opportunity for Texas’ green industry professionals to come together, meet with state lawmakers, and advocate for policies that directly impact our businesses.

Why Your Voice Matters
With the legislative session in full swing, lawmakers are making decisions that affect water resources, workforce development, and regulatory policies—all of which shape how we operate. When industry professionals like you engage directly with legislators, it helps ensure they understand the real-world impact of these policies.

What to Expect
Attendees will have the chance to:
✔ Meet face-to-face with key decision-makers
✔ Share industry experiences and challenges
✔ Ensure TNLA’s voice is heard where it matters most
Cost & Registration💰 Cost to Attend: $180 – This fee covers breakfast, lunch, and event expenses to ensure a productive and impactful experience.

Hotel Accommodations: Book your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District, using our exclusive hotel block for the night before the event. Click here to reserve your room before Feb 20 deadline. If you call into the reservations line, the Group Code is TNLA

Support TNLA’s Advocacy Efforts
We’re also looking for sponsors to help make this event a success. If you or your company would like to support TNLA’s ongoing advocacy efforts, reach out—we’d love to have you involved.
Your presence at Legislative Day makes a difference. Register today and help shape the future of Texas’ green industry!

🔗 Register Now
Contact Information: For more information or questions, reach out to: Curtis Smith Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-579-3851
 We look forward to seeing you at the Capitol!