TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 8: Protecting Your Business: Inside TNLA’s 2025 Legislative Wins

⏱️ 49:07 🎤 Sarah Riggins, Curtis Smith

AUDIO EPISODE

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Chapters

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0:00

Hotchkiss Insurance Ad

Hotchkiss Insurance, a trusted partner since 1975, offers comprehensive commercial insurance solutions tailored for the Texas green industry, providing financial protection and access to proactive education and training.
0:46

Introduction & Session Importance

Host Sarah Riggins introduces Curtis Smith to discuss the Texas legislative session's importance for TNLA members and the green industry, highlighting TNLA's impactful advocacy work.
7:01

TNLA Day at Capital

Curtis details TNLA Day at the Texas Capital, a successful event where 50 members met with lawmakers, advocated for key issues, and distributed plants to build relationships and raise industry profile.
17:15

Legislative Wins Overview

Curtis presents major legislative wins, including a $2.5 billion investment in water resources, a new statewide plant disease and pest alert system, and the removal of glyphosate and atrazine from a problematic bill.
30:26

Licensing Standards & Challenges

Discussion on licensing standards covers the extension of irrigator license grace periods and the successful defeat of a bill that would have lowered professional standards by accepting out-of-state licenses without vetting.
39:04

Defeated & Narrowed Bills

Curtis reviews bills TNLA helped defeat or narrow, including overreaching compost regulations, an erroneous ban on common plants, and problematic PFAS testing requirements for fertilizer companies.
1:00:26

Ongoing Radar Items

Ongoing issues on TNLA's radar include insurance reform to address rising costs, efforts to mitigate credit card swipe fees for businesses, and advocating for ag tax exemptions.
1:17:05

Biggest Takeaway & Future

Curtis shares his biggest takeaway: the green industry's effective advocacy through engaged members, emphasizing the need to continue building relationships and fighting for the industry's future in Austin and D.C.
1:25:00

DC Advocacy & Resources

Curtis invites members to join future DC fly-ins for advocacy on issues like H2A/H2B visas, and mentions an upcoming full written legislative wrap-up for those interested in more details.

Speakers

Sarah Riggins

Host — Director of Workforce Development for TNLA

Curtis Smith

Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs

Key Takeaways

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Engage with industry associations like TNLA: Your participation in events like 'TNLA Day at the Capital' directly influences legislative outcomes that affect your business.

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Stay informed about water conservation and supply: Legislative investments in water resources can impact your operational costs and water availability, so understanding these policies is crucial.

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Monitor pest and disease alerts: Utilize resources like the new statewide email alert system to protect your plants and operations from emerging threats.

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Understand chemical regulations: Keep track of legislation concerning herbicides and other products to ensure compliance and access to necessary tools for land and plant management.

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Be aware of licensing changes: Pay attention to grace periods and requirements for licenses (e.g., irrigator licenses) to maintain compliance and avoid disruptions.

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Advocate against burdensome fees and regulations: Support efforts to reform insurance costs and credit card swipe fees, as these directly impact your business's profitability.

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Stay updated on HOA regulations: If your work involves properties with HOAs, be aware of laws like the HOA turf buying bill that can affect landscaping requirements and homeowner obligations.

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← Interview with Chris McTyre, President of Green Ridge Landscaping, Inc.

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