Relating to the authority of a city to impose certain governmental requirements on an agricultural operation.

Contracts

• Lease Agreements: Review agricultural leases immediately. Standard clauses requiring tenants to "comply with all local ordinances" no longer compel the tenant to mow public rights-of-way.
• Landlord Action: If a landowner requires the public ROW to be maintained for aesthetic reasons, the lease must be amended to make this a private contractual obligation, as it is no longer a legal municipal requirement.

Hiring/Training

• Maintenance Crews: Issue a "Stop Work" order for vegetation maintenance on public rights-of-way (ditches, easements) where such work is performed solely to satisfy city code.
• Risk Management: By removing crews from public roadways, you reduce liability exposure. Update safety logs to reflect this change in operational scope.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Zoning Disputes: Cease providing Article VIII, Section 1-d or 1-d-1 tax appraisal documents to municipalities. Cities are statutorily barred from requiring these documents to verify your status as an agricultural operation.
• Alternative Proof: Prepare alternative documentation (sales receipts, feed logs, timber management plans) to prove "Agricultural Operation" status under Texas Agriculture Code § 251.002, should a city challenge your classification without the tax form.

Fees & Costs

• Cost Savings: Immediate reduction in labor and equipment costs associated with mowing public property.
• Fines: Do not pay new fines related to these specific ordinances issued after June 20, 2025. Contest any fines based on retroactivity.