HB 3054
AN ACT relating to the types of trees a governmental entity is authorized
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Requires governmental entities in Texas to plant only native trees on public property, with limited exceptions. Entities can only use non-native trees if they have historical significance (approved by a governing board resolution) or serve educational/scientific purposes. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will develop and maintain a comprehensive list of native tree species, including details about their ecological importance and growth patterns, to guide tree planting decisions for public lands.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the types of trees a governmental entity is authorized BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 10, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 2207 to read as follows: CHAPTER 2207. PLANTING OF TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY Sec. 2207.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by (2) "Native tree" means a species of tree that is indigenous (3) "Service" means the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Sec. 2207.002. NATIVE TREES REQUIRED ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. (a) Except as otherwise provided by Section 443.016 and subject to Section 2155.444(d), a governmental entity and any contractor or subcontractor of the governmental entity may not plant a species of tree other than a native tree on public property. Sec. 2207.003. EXCEPTIONS. (a) Except as otherwise provided by Section 443.016 and subject to Section 2155.444(d), a governmental entity may authorize the use of a species of tree that is not on the list of native trees developed by service under (1) the use of a species of nonindigenous tree has a genuine historical significance in relation to the governmental entity and the governing board of the entity adopts a resolution authorizing the planting of a species of nonindigenous tree and explaining the historical significance of the species of nonindigenous tree to the governmental entity; or (2) the use of a species of nonindigenous tree by the governmental entity is primarily for educational, scientific, or Sec. 2207.004. LIST OF NATIVE TREES. (a) The service shall develop and maintain a list identifying native tree species found (b) The list shall include a description of each species of native tree, their ecological significance, growth patterns, and any other information the service deems necessary. The list shall be updated periodically to reflect any changes in native tree populations or scientific understanding. (c) In preparing or updating the list, the service may collaborate with relevant state and federal agencies, as well as academic institutions, to support the development, distribution, SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a contract for which a governmental entity first advertises or otherwise solicits bids, proposals, offers, or qualifications or makes a similar solicitation on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract for which a governmental entity first advertises or otherwise solicits bids, proposals, offers, or qualifications or makes a similar solicitation before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the advertisement or solicitation is made, and that law is continued in effect for that SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Agriculture and related subject areas.
EZ Lobby
PremiumRobert D. Miller
Haley Cornyn
Allen E. Blakemore
Michael J. Johnson
Vera Denise Rose
Gavin L. Massingill
Matthew Bentley
Allison Billodeau
Chad Wilbanks
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the types of trees a governmental entity is authorized
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