House Bill 20 18 clarifies statutory intent for the Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program so that conservation easements purchased by the program prioritize working agricultural lands and landowners whose primary occupation or income is derived from agricultural production.

Sponsor testimony said stakeholders told the interim committee the program should focus on working agricultural land. Carl Ray Polk, representing the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said Texas has lost millions of acres of working agricultural and grazing lands and that the program should prioritize landowners directly engaged in agriculture. "This program provides landowners a viable option to keep their land in ag production," Polk said in support.

Charlie Leal of the Texas Farm Bureau said the program will help ranchers keep land in production and that HB 20 18 ensures easements support actual farms and ranches.

The committee reported the committee substitute favorably to the full Senate and recommended it for the local, noncontested calendar by voice/roll call with 8 ayes and no nays.

Next steps: HB 20 18 proceeds to the full Senate for further action.