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Update on 85TH Texas Legislature

The 85th Texas Legislative Session has been a tough one, with very few of the bills we support getting traction. For a more in-depth description of each bill, read our past blog post, "85TH Texas Legislature—Bills Sustainable Food Center is Tracking."

To start, we'd like to share the current status of the bills we have been closely following. With only several weeks left in Session, time is running out - even for the bills that have gotten hearings. Read on and take action today!

SUPPORT- HB 950 / SB 330: Young and Military Veteran Farmers Tax Relief Bill by Representative Justin Rodriguez and Senator Jose Rodriguez

Update: SB 330 was sent to the Senate Agriculture Committee, where it had a hearing, was voted out of committee, was scheduled for a Senate floor vote and also passed the Senate.

HB 950 was sent to the House Agriculture Committee and had a hearing. It is now stuck in the House Agriculture Committee.

Call or email your State Representative to urge him or her to support HB 950 and SB 330 and help move the bill forward! A phone call has the greatest impact, just remember to keep the conversation polite and to-the-point.

You can find out who your representative is by going to www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us or calling the Texas Capitol Switchboard at 512-463-4630.

If you call after hours, you can leave a message:

“Hi, my name is ____, and I am a constituent. I am calling to urge Representative ______ to co-author HB 950/SB 330, the Tax Relief for Young and Veteran Farmers Bill, and to help the bill move forward as quickly as possible.”

If you prefer email, your Representative’s email address is FirstName.LastName@house.texas.gov

Take Action #2: Is your Representative a member of the House Agriculture Committee?

We need the House Agriculture Committee to vote to approve the bill. If you live in any of the Committee members’ districts, it is vital that you call them now – and encourage everyone you know in the district to call as well! These 7 people hold the fate of the bill in their hands.

If you are not a constituent, please focus on contacting your own Representative and urging him or her to co-author, in the first action item. The Committee members will be most influenced by their own constituents.

Chairman Tracy King: Dimmit, Frio, Uvalde, Webb (part), Zapata, Zavala Counties. Email: King@house.texas.gov. Phone: 512-463-0194

Charles “Doc” Anderson: McLennan County (part). Email: Anderson@house.texas.gov. Phone: 512-463-0135

Dustin Burrows: Borden, Gaines, Lubbock (part), Lynn, Mitchell, Scurry, Terry Counties. Email: Burrows@house.texas.gov. Phone: 512-463-0542

John Cyrier: Bastrop, Caldwell, Gonzales, Karnes, Lee Counties. Email: Cyrier@house.texas.gov. Phone: 512-463-0682

Matt Rinaldi: Dallas County (part). Email: Rinaldi@house.texas.gov

Lynn Stucky: Denton County (part). Email: Stucky@house.texas.gov. Phone: 512-463-0582

If you live in Rep. Mary Gonzalez’ district (part of El Paso County), tell her thank you for joint authoring the bill! Email: Mary.Gonzalez@house.texas.gov

If you’re not sure who represents you, go to www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us

SUPPORT- HB 3324: Healthy Food Financing Bill (Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund) by Representative Eddie Rodriguez

Update: HB 3324 was sent to House Urban Affairs Committee and voted out of committee 5/2/2017

SUPPORT- HB 231 / SB 700: Fair Property Taxes for Small Farmers by Representative Eddie Rodriguez & Senator Judith Zaffirini

Update: HB 231 was sent to the House Agriculture committee, but no hearing has been set; SB 700 was sent to the Senate Finance committee, but no hearing has been set.

SUPPORT- SB 60: Farm to School Bill by Senator Judith Zaffirini

Update: SB 60 was referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee but has not been sent for a hearing

SUPPORT- HB 1926: The Homemade Foods Bill by Representative Eddie Rodriguez

Update: HB 1926 was sent to the House Public Health Committee but has not been set for a hearing

SUPPORT- SB 656: Agricultural & Rural Ombudsman by Senator Judith Zaffirini

Update: SB 656 was sent to the Senate Agriculture Committee but no hearing has been set