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March Legislative Update



Joe Morris, TXIA's legislative representative, has been working hard to keep TXIA informed with regards to the current legislative session. Texas' 86th Legislative Session kicked off in January and Joe has been keeping TXIA's Board of Directors abreast on items that could potentially affect the irrigation industry.
Joe Morris, TXIA's legislative representative, has been working hard to keep TXIA informed with regards to the current legislative session. Texas' 86th Legislative Session kicked off in January and Joe has been keeping TXIA's Board of Directors abreast on items that could potentially affect the irrigation industry.
 
To begin the session, Joe opened lines of communication with both Tracy King (Batesville), the new chairman of the House's Licensing and Regulation Committee and Kelly Hancock (DFW area), the returning chairman for the Senate's Business and Commerce Committee. Joe communicated who the TXIA is, what the association does, who the association represents, and past conflicts with plumbers and licensing issues. He was pleased with the meetings with the staff of these two chairmen.
 
Friday, March 8th was the final day for bills to be filed. After combing over any last minute bills that were filed, there were no bills that would affect the irrigation industry. One thing to note, however, is that the plumbers are under review by the Sunset Advisory Commission. Two bills SB621 and HB1670 would move their licensing to the TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation). Joe has spoken with Senator Nichols (author of SB621), the staff of HB1670's author, and the executive director of the TDLR. They have assured him this would be a clean transfer of the plumbers to TDLR and that there is nothing that will affect irrigators, their licensing or practices.
 
The TXIA will continue to keep you updated on items of interest or concern with regards to legislative actions. As in past years, we are grateful for Joe's attention to detail, his urgency, and the connections he has and continues to make with which he consults on behalf of the Texas irrigation industry.

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