Category Archives: United States Congress

2021 Ag Law Year in Review – National

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Happy 2022!  As we do each year, we’ve compiled our list of some of the biggest agricultural law stories in 2021.  Today, we will take a look at this from the national level.  Next week, we will take a look at Texas-specific issues.  To hear Paul Goeringer and I discuss the biggest issues of 2021, click here to listen to our year-end episode of the Ag Law in the Field Podcast. Waters of the United States If there has been one constant over the last 5 years, it… Read More →

May 25, 2018 Ag Law Round Up

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Good morning from sunny Lubbock, Texas!  I am here for the 12th Annual John Huffaker Ag Law Course, a legal education symposium for attorneys.  I had the privilege of discussing farm and ranch leases yesterday and have really enjoyed the other fantastic speakers on the program. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news over the last couple of weeks: *New Mexico files counterclaims against Texas and United States in water law suit.  The New Mexico Attorney General has filed the State’s Answer to the… Read More →

How the Omnibus Spending Bill Impacts Agriculture

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Last week, Congress passed and President Trump signed the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill, formally called the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. [View full text here.] What you might not have realized is that there are a number of provisions included within that bill that will significantly impact agriculture. “Grain Glitch” Fix. When Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act bill back in December, there were provisions giving additional advantages in form of deductions to producers who sold grain to cooperatives that did not exist for farmers selling… Read More →

How Will Tax Reform Affect Agriculture?

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Many people are wondering exactly how the sweeping “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” will impact their personal tax returns and what the law might mean for agriculture. I’m no tax law expert, but luckily, I know someone who is!  I was fortunate to have Kristine Tidgren from the Iowa State Center for Ag Law and Taxation join me on a recent episode of the Ag Law in the Field Podcast to discuss the ins and outs of the new tax reform law.  You can listen to the podcast… Read More →

November 17, 2017 Weekly Round Up

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We’ve made it to another Friday!  I want to welcome those of you who attended the Five States Beef Conference in Perryton, Texas last week and are joining us from that presentation. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. *Deadline to begin reporting agricultural emissions extended by EPA awaiting court mandate.  You may remember from this prior blog post that in April, a federal court held that federal regulations exempting agricultural operations from reporting emissions of hazardous substances under two federal environmental… Read More →

July 22, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  This week I enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Floydata and visit with producers at their ag field day about one of my favorite things…agricultural law hot topics.  To those of you joining from that meeting, welcome!  Here are some of the major ag law stories in the news this week. * Congress Passes GMO Labeling Law.  Last week, Congress passed a federal law that will impose federal standards on the labeling of foods made with genetically modified ingredients.  [Read bill text here.]  The law will… Read More →

January 8, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Happy  New  Year!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are ready to tackle 2016. I kicked off my year speaking to a great group of folks at the Blacklands Income Growth Conference in Waco on Tuesday.  I had an absolute blast discussing agricultural law issues and answering great questions from the audience.  To those of you joining us from the BIG Conference, welcome! Here are some of the ag law stories that have been in the news recently. * Big Bend Pipeline Project Closer To… Read More →

December 11, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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We have reached another Friday!  This week I was on the road to speak at the Swisher County Ag Day on the top legal developments in 2015.  Thanks to John Vialba and Glenda Gibson for all their hard work to put on a great event and for inviting me to participate.  For those of you interested in that topic, stay tuned next week for a blog recapping the year in ag law!  To those of you joining the blog from the Swisher County Ag Day, welcome! Here are… Read More →

May 1, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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Last week I made the journey to the Hill Country for the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference, held in Kerrville.  Many kudos to organizer, Larry Redmond, for putting together an outstanding program!  To those of you new to the blog from the Conference, welcome! Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. *Texas Supreme Court Will Not Hear Bragg v. Edwards Aquifer Authority.  Big water law news happened today when the Texas Supreme Court denied petitions to consider an appeal in Bragg v. Edwards Aquifer Authority.  Stay… Read More →

February 7, 2014 Weekly Round Up

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*This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.* It has been a chilly week across most of Texas!  I hope everyone is staying safe and warm.  Here are a few of the major ag law stories making news this week. * Congress Passed the Farm Bill.  This was the big news of the week out of Washington, DC.  President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law on Friday.  A few articles discussing the bill’s passage may be read here and here  and here. … Read More →