House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Leadership

Chair

Ryan Guillen (R)

House District 31

Rio Grande City

Vice Chair

Guerra, R.D. “Bobby” (D)

House District 41

Mission

Committee Composition

Committee Membership

Guillen, Ryan (R) House District 31 Rio Grande City Guerra, R.D. “Bobby” (D) House District 41 Mission Cain, Briscoe (R) House District 128 Deer Park Hopper, Andy (R) House District 64 Decatur Kitzman, Stan (R) House District 85 Pattison Lopez, Janie (R) House District 37 San Benito McLaughlin, Don (R) House District 80 Uvalde Money, Brent (R) House District 2 Greenville Muñoz Jr., Sergio (D) House District 36 Mission

Most Recent Session Activity

Metrics reflect activity during the most recent legislative session.

Interim Charges

• Monitoring: Monitor the implementation and associated rulemaking of all legislation passed by the Committee and enacted by the 89th Legislature, including the following:
  • HB 43, relating to the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority and certain programs administered by the authority.
• Invasive Species: Study the detection and management of invasive species and insects impacting Texas agriculture, including New World screwworm, rice delphacids, cotton jassids, cattle fever ticks, and feral hogs. Examine current prevention, response, and eradication efforts.
• Texas Department of Agriculture: Study the statutory powers and responsibilities of the Texas Department of Agriculture to determine whether existing authority is adequate to promote and protect Texas agriculture.
• Resiliency of Texas Agriculture: Consider the legacy, economic impact, and domestic security benefits of Texas agriculture production. Examine opportunities to ensure the future competitiveness of Texas agriculture, given challenges such as global market distortions, rising input costs, labor constraints, water scarcity, and regulatory compliance burdens. Make recommendations to expand access to capital and reduce governmental barriers to enhance the growth and resilience of Texas agriculture.
• Market Development and Expansion of Texas-Grown Products: Examine the state’s role in promoting Texas-grown products, including Texas-produced seafood and viticulture. Assess state programs and policies that support local industries, including research, marketing, and grant programs. Study existing public and private programs that raise consumer awareness and expand markets for Texas products, such as the Texas Department of Agriculture’s “GO TEXAN” Partner Program, the Texas Shrimp Marketing Assistance Program, and the Texas Beef Checkoff.
• Agency Oversight: Monitor the agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction, including for fraud, waste, and abuse, where applicable. The jurisdiction of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee includes the following agencies:
  • The Department of Agriculture; The Texas Animal Health Commission; The State Soil and Water Conservation Board;
  • The Texas A&M Forest Service; The Texas administrator for the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact;
  • The Texas Apiary Inspection Service; Texas A&M AgriLife Research; The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service;
  • The State Seed and Plant Board; The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners; The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory;
  • The Produce Recovery Fund Board; The board of directors of the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, Inc.; and The Texas Wildlife Services.