S.B. No. 1172

	AN ACT
	relating to the regulation of seed by a political subdivision.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 61, Agriculture Code, is amended by
	adding Section 61.019 to read as follows:
	Sec. 61.019.  LOCAL REGULATION OF SEED PROHIBITED.
	(a)  Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by
	Subsection (c), a political subdivision may not adopt an order,
	ordinance, or other measure that regulates agricultural seed,
	vegetable seed, weed seed, or any other seed in any manner,
	including planting seed or cultivating plants grown from seed.
	(b)  An order, ordinance, or other measure adopted by a
	political subdivision that violates Subsection (a) is void.
	(c)  A political subdivision may take any action otherwise
	prohibited by this section to:
	(1)  comply with any federal or state requirements;
	(2)  avoid a federal or state penalty or fine;
	(3)  attain or maintain compliance with federal or
	state environmental standards, including state water quality
	standards; or
	(4)  implement a:
	(A)  water conservation plan;
	(B)  drought contingency plan; or
	(C)  voluntary program as part of a conservation
	water management strategy included in the applicable regional water
	plan or state water plan.
	(d)  Nothing in this section preempts or otherwise limits the
	authority of any county or municipality to adopt and enforce zoning
	regulations, fire codes, building codes, storm water regulations,
	nuisance regulations as authorized by Section 342.004, Health and
	Safety Code, or waste disposal restrictions.
	SECTION 2.  Section 61.019(b), Agriculture Code, as added by
	this Act, applies to an order, ordinance, or other measure adopted
	before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1172 passed the Senate on
	April 3, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1;
	May 25, 2017, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
	requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 26, 2017, House
	granted request of the Senate; May 28, 2017, Senate adopted
	Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 27,
	Nays 3.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1172 passed the House, with
	amendments, on May 22, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 135,
	Nays 10, two present not voting; May 26, 2017, House granted
	request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
	May 28, 2017, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
	following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, one present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor