H.B. No. 2018 amends the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program by updating definitions and criteria related to agricultural conservation easements. The bill specifies that an "agricultural conservation easement" is designed to maintain the land's agricultural or timber use while also achieving additional purposes such as conserving water quality, protecting native wildlife habitats, and preserving large tracts of open-space land. The council responsible for administering the program is granted expanded authority to adopt rules, accept funding, and establish protocols for purchasing these easements, ensuring they align with the preservation of open space, agricultural productivity, and wildlife conservation.

Additionally, the bill prioritizes grant applications that protect and maintain agricultural or timber productivity on lands at risk of development. It introduces a scoring process for evaluating applications based on various criteria, including landscape integrity, habitat protection, and the potential for leveraging additional funding. Notably, the bill replaces a previous criterion regarding resource management plans with a focus on the land's agricultural or timber productivity. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Parks and Wildlife Code 84.002, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.009, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.010 (Parks and Wildlife Code 84)
House Committee Report: Parks and Wildlife Code 84.002, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.009, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.010 (Parks and Wildlife Code 84)
Engrossed: Parks and Wildlife Code 84.002, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.009, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.010 (Parks and Wildlife Code 84)
Senate Committee Report: Parks and Wildlife Code 84.002, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.009, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.010 (Parks and Wildlife Code 84)
Enrolled: Parks and Wildlife Code 84.002, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.009, Parks and Wildlife Code 84.010 (Parks and Wildlife Code 84)