H.B. No. 4163 amends the Agriculture Code to clarify the limitations on governmental requirements that cities can impose on agricultural operations. Specifically, it prohibits cities from enacting regulations that would directly or indirectly restrict generally accepted agricultural practices, the growing or harvesting of vegetation for animal feed or wildlife management, and the use of pesticides necessary to prevent infestations. The bill also introduces a new provision that prevents cities from requiring agricultural operators to maintain the right-of-way of public roads adjacent to their operations.

The bill modifies Section 251.0055(c) by deleting the previous requirement for agricultural operations to be designated for specific uses under the Texas Constitution and adding a new requirement that prohibits cities from mandating the mowing, baling, shredding, or hoeing of materials on adjacent public roadways. This legislation is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and applies to any governmental requirements adopted before, on, or after the effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Agriculture Code 251.0055 (Agriculture Code 251)
House Committee Report: Agriculture Code 251.0055 (Agriculture Code 251)
Engrossed: Agriculture Code 251.0055 (Agriculture Code 251)
Senate Committee Report: Agriculture Code 251.0055 (Agriculture Code 251)
Enrolled: Agriculture Code 251.0055 (Agriculture Code 251)