By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Several new laws that were passed during the 89th Texas Legislature go into effect Sept. 1, the official first day of the state’s fiscal year 2026.

Many of the laws directly impact farmers, ranchers and rural Texans, according to Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) State Legislative Director Charlie Leal.

“These new laws reflect the work of Texas Farm Bureau members who shared their concerns with legislators and stayed engaged throughout the session,” said Charlie Leal, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) state legislative director. “The 89th legislative session had some significant wins for Texas agriculture. Some of those laws become effective Sept. 1, while others were effective immediately after the session, and a few more will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.”

Among the laws taking effect in September are measures that update brand registration systems, strengthen private property rights, enhance land stewardship and address foreign ownership.

Brand registration
SB 503 by Sen. Charles Perry and Rep. Ryan Guillen modernizes the state’s livestock brand registration system by establishing a centralized, statewide electronic registry managed by the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Brand records were previously filed and maintained on paper at the county level.

“The shift from paper records to digital entries is designed to simplify brand registration and enhance law enforcement’s ability to resolve cases of stray or stolen of livestock,” Leal said.

The bill requires a county clerk to record generally accepted identification methods, including earmarks, brands, tattoos and electronic IDs.

The law also allows brand owners to voluntarily record their brand online with the county clerk’s office and enables agents to register brands on behalf of owners, which is helpful for producers who have cattle in multiple counties.

Farm & Ranch Land Conservation Program
HB 2018 by Rep. Trent Ashby and Sen. Adam Hinojosa strengthens the Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program, which promotes responsible stewardship of working lands and encourages voluntary conservation efforts through easement programs.

The bill added requirements to ensure the program prioritizes keeping land in active agricultural use, allowing farmers and ranchers to continue growing food, fiber and fuel.

“Texas continues to lose productive agricultural land at an alarming rate,” Leal said. “This law ensures we focus on conserving the land in a way that allows future generations to continue farming and ranching.”

Hostile foreign ownership
SB 17 by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and Rep. Cole Hefner prohibits entities and individuals from certain hostile foreign countries from purchasing or acquiring an interest in agricultural, commercial or residential property in Texas.

The hostile foreign countries include China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

The law grants the Texas Attorney General authority to investigate transactions and enforce the new restrictions. Violations carry steep penalties. Individuals face a state jail felony, while companies can be fined the greater of $250,000 or 50% of the property’s market value.

Right to farm and ranch
The Texas Right to Farm statue was amended with HB 4163 by Rep. Ryan Guillen and Sen. Charles Perry.

It prohibits cities from requiring farmers and ranchers to maintain vegetation in rights-of-way along public roads adjacent to their land.

“This change removes unnecessary burdens and protects landowners from being forced to maintain land that isn’t theirs,” Leal said.

High-speed rail
Developers of high-speed rail projects in Texas will now be required to disclose financial and construction details to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) under HB 2003.

That information also includes the route and any foreign investment information for the project.

The bill, authored by Rep. Cody Harris and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, mandates that TxDOT make the submitted information available to the public on its website.

TFB support
Texas Farm Bureau supported these bills, and the grassroots advocacy efforts of Farm Bureau members helped achieve their passage, along with numerous other legislative wins for rural Texas.

For more information about TFB’s legislative efforts, visit texasfarmbureau.org/advocacy.