Relating to equitable relief from the enforcement of certain governmental requirements that affect agricultural operations.
HB 1964 creates a legal right for farmers and agricultural operations to sue local governments (like counties or cities) if those governments enforce rules that violate Texas Agriculture Code provisions. The bill allows affected individuals to seek court orders to stop enforcement of such rules and recover legal fees and costs if they win their case. It applies only to lawsuits filed after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote earlier). This directly affects farmers facing local enforcement actions and local governments that may be sued under this new provision. The law does not change existing agricultural regulations but provides a new remedy for disputes.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 14, 2025
Last action Apr 29, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Agriculture & Livestock
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
4 primary · 11 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Briscoe Cain
RRepublican
P
Cody Harris
RRepublican
P
David Spiller
RRepublican
P
Trent Ashby
RRepublican
Co
Angelia Orr
RRepublican
Co
Diego Bernal
DDemocratic
Co
Eddie Morales
DDemocratic
Co
Helen Kerwin
RRepublican
Co
Janie Lopez
RRepublican
Co
Keith Bell
RRepublican
Co
Richard Hayes
RRepublican
Co
Ryan Guillen
RRepublican
Co
Stan Lambert
RRepublican
Co
Terri Leo-Wilson
RRepublican
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