Right to farm and ranch protections in Texas Constitution headed to November ballot

(WACO, Texas)—Texas voters can provide important protections

in the Texas Constitution for everyday farming and ranching

following today’s passage of a proposed right to farm and ranch

constitutional amendment by the Texas Legislature.

The committee substitute for HJR 126 by State Rep. DeWayne

Burns of Cleburne was approved May 4 by the Texas Senate,

31-0. State Sen. Charles Perry of Lubbock sponsored the

amendment in the Senate.

The committee substitute for HJR 126 had been previously

approved on April 10 by the Texas House of Representatives,

144-0.

The measure now heads to the Nov. 7 statewide ballot.

“This is a monumental day for Texas farmers and ranchers and

for Texas agriculture,” said Texas Farm Bureau President Russell

Boening of Poth. “The constitutional amendment isn’t about

protecting the past. It’s about ensuring Texans’ access to safe

and affordable food in the future. We’re grateful for the leadership

and efforts of Rep. Burns and Sen. Perry in securing passage of

this very important constitutional amendment.”

The constitutional amendment specifies people have the right to

engage in generally accepted farm, ranch, timber production,

horticulture, or wildlife management practices on real property

they own or lease.

“The constitutional amendment also protects the public from any

real danger. It protects animal health and welfare. It protects

crops from diseases and pests, and it protects water, fish and

wildlife, trees, and other natural resources,” said Boening, who

testified twice at the state Capitol in support of HJR 126. “Texas

continues to rapidly increase in population, and it’s critical that

farmers and ranchers be able to grow food, fiber and fuel for our

state and nation as more and more agricultural areas are

impacted by development and population growth. The time is right

for this constitutional amendment.”

Texas loses more than 240,000 acres of agricultural and ranch

lands each year to development, according to the Texas Land

and Water Conservation Coalition. Farming and ranching are vital

components of a healthy Texas, contributing over $115 billion to

the state economy.

“This constitutional amendment is perhaps the most meaningful

legislative effort to support Texas agriculture in many years,”

Boening said. “Texas agriculture is a big deal. It is worth

protecting in our Texas Constitution.”