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South Texans’ Property Rights Association

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Jump to: Resource Library • Border Security & Tresspassing • Landowner Liability • Groundwater Ownership • Eminent Domain • Fever Tick Eradication • Daily Weather Briefings • Associations • Members

 

Resource Library

Border Security & Trespassing

Legislative Update (August 1, 2011)

There were a large number of bills introduced this session that were trying to make up for the failures of the federal government to do its duty in securing the border and implementing an enforceable immigration system holding both the workers and the employers accountable. Probably because there was no way for the state to adequately address these issues, all of the bills failed. STPRA supported a resolution introduced by leading members of the Hispanic Republican Caucus which basically restated our long‐held position of calling on Congress and the President to act in a responsible manner. The resolution, HCR 88, was passed unanimously in the House State Affairs Committee, where Representative Charlie Geren, Republican from Ft. Worth, said that it was the best piece of immigration legislation submitted this session.

Regrettably, the resolution was never allowed to be heard on the floor by the Calendars Committee.
STPRA will remain engaged in the future to find a solution for ag workers by implementing a viable guest worker program. We are currently working directly with U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith to pass legislation that will implement a solid guest worker program that includes the E‐Verify system.
 

Landowner Liability for actions of law enforcement on their property

SB-1417- The Landowner Liability Bill was filed 3/10/2011

Legislative Update (August 1, 2011)

S.B. 1160, STPRA was highly successful in passing legislation that protects property owners from liability for the actions and omissions of peace officers and firefighters on their properties and for injuries and deaths of trespassers who enter their properties. Our legislation, S.B. 1417 and H.B. 2950, became part of another bill, S.B. 1160, which prevents courts from limiting liability protection beyond that which has already been established in case law.

Governor Perry signed the bill into law May 20, 2011, and it became effective immediately.
STPRA is delighted that we were so successful with the passage of this legislation and declares a huge victory for landowners!
 

Groundwater Ownership

 

       Photo by Jason Dreibelbis              Photo by © D.K. Langford           Photo By Texas Farm Bureau
 
STPRA has joined forces with Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Texas Wildlife Association and the Texas Farm Bureau to protect property owners' private property rights in groundwater, while supporting reasonable, science-based regulation for the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources. To advocate these ideals, the supporting associations and organizations have established an educational program to assist members, property owners, legislators and policy makers in understanding current groundwater ownership and regulatory issues in Texas.

To learn more please go to www.groundwaterownership.com or view the resources below

Contact your State Senators and ask them to support SB 332
**Click here to find your senator**

Groundwater Update Handout - February 7, 2011

Legislative Update (August 1, 2011)

S.B. 332, “Groundwater Ownership” was a very important initiative this session. Groundwater is an integral part of the land that is owned by private landowners. STPRA signed on in support of the “Groundwater Ownership” group led by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) and the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB). S.B. 332 established that groundwater below the surface is the “real property” of the landowner and that the landowner has the right to produce water below the surface. The groundwater authorities still have the responsibility to regulate groundwater production to insure that landowners’ rights are protected.

Governor Perry signed the bill June 17, 2011. It goes into effective September 1, 2011.
 

STPRA believes that S.B. 332 is a major victory for landowners.
 

Eminent Domain

Legislative Update (August 1, 2011)

S.B. 18 was passed after two previous tries in earlier sessions. STPRA joined with its allies to achieve the following outcomes: S.B. 18 requires a public vote to initiate eminent domain proceedings; it more clearly defines what kinds of entities may condemn property; each condemning entity must make a bona fide, good faith payment offer in writing. If it fails to do so, it must pay the landowners’ attorney’s fees and expenses; landowners must be compensated for limited access to his/her property and assisted with expenses if relocation is necessary; strengthens and supports the “public purpose” requirements passed in an earlier constitutional amendment; property owners have the right to buy back the property for the original payment price if the land is not used for the originally intended purpose within 10 years.
This legislation was necessary to strengthen the earlier constitutional amendment “Proposition 11” passed by Texas voters on November 3, 2009 due to the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, commonly known as the “Kelo” decision, which said that a public entity is justified in condemning private property for the sake of furthering economic development, even if the beneficiary is another private entity.

Governor Perry signed the bill May 19, 2011. It will go into effective September 1, 2011.
S.B. 18 deals with all important protections of eminent domain and STPRA declares a major victory in assisting in the passage of this legislation.
 

 

Fever Tick Eradication

 

Legislative Update (August 1, 2011)

Legislation was passed this session that changed the Texas Animal Health Commission’s (TAHC) revenue stream from general revenue to a fee based service income. The livestock producers are lobbying against these fee based services. The Texas Animal Health Commissioners will be meeting, July 19, 2011 to vote on whether to approve these fees. If they are not approved, five part‐time and full‐time employees who assist federal employees in Zapata and Starr Counties will lose their jobs. USDA will then take over complete authority of fever tick eradication in the state of Texas.
STPRA will remain engaged on this issue.

Prescribed Burning 

Texas Prescribed Burning Associations

NRCS Prescribed Burn Education Tool
Prescribed Burn Alliance Formed After Record-Breaking Wildfire Season- Article by Agrilife Today (12/23/11)
Prescribed Burn Associations, Alliance in Texas- Article by Wildlife & Management News (12/10/11)

 
 

South Texas Daily Weather Briefings

Click on the icon to watch the South Texas Weather forecast brought to you by the National Weather Service. The daily multimedia weather briefing is intended to be a concise non-technical explanation of the upcoming weather situation expected across South Texas and the adjacent waters over the next 7 days. If significant weather hazards are expected to affect the region, then a more detailed briefing is anticipated. The briefings are updated every morning at 10:00 am. 

 

 

Associations

We encourage you to visit the websites of other organizations with which we cooperate

 

Members


 
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