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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-06-20
HB1275

Regular Session

Relating to the issuance of permits for bovine producer dairy farms in certain areas of this state.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB1275: Government Affairs Overview

HB1275 immediately prohibits the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) from issuing permits to bovine dairy farms located in areas designated by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) as infected with or at high risk for tuberculosis. This legislation effectively creates geographic "no-go" zones for dairy operations, impacting site selection for new projects and creating significant regulatory risk for existing facilities within these boundaries.

Rep. Mary Gonzalez·House Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
Business Impact

Who HB1275 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: low

Standard regulatory changes (effective 2025-06-20). Review during normal business planning.

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Healthcare

Affected business types:

  • Hospitals
  • Healthcare systems
  • Medical practices
  • Health insurance providers
View all healthcare legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Real Estate Purchase Agreements: Must include contingency clauses allowing termination if the property is designated as "high risk" by TAHC prior to closing.
  • 2Supply Agreements: Processors must amend Master Supply Agreements (MSAs) to include immediate termination rights if a producer’s permit is revoked due to rezoning.
  • 3Leases: Tenants operating dairies require specific force majeure or termination clauses addressing the regulatory inability to obtain permits due to disease zoning.
  • 4Site Selection: Real estate and development teams must be trained to cross-reference all potential sites against current TAHC bovine tuberculosis risk maps before making offers.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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HB1275
Relating to the issuance of permits for bovine producer dairy farms in certain areas of this state.
Low Urgency
Heavily Contested
House Vote109 - 25
YEA
NAY
81% in favor134 voting
Senate Vote27 - 4
YEA
87% in favor31 voting
29
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies
DSHSTAHC
Primary Author: Rep. Mary Gonzalez
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: June 20, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: Immediate. Any permit application (new or renewal) currently pending or submitted henceforth is subject to this restriction.
  • Agency Rulemaking: TAHC holds the authority to define "infected" and "high risk" zones. While the law is effective, the specific geographic boundaries are subject to TAHC rule updates. Businesses must monitor TAHC agendas for changes to disease zone maps.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Audit Locations: Immediately map all current facilities and pending acquisitions against the current TAHC tuberculosis risk map.
  • Freeze Applications: Halt any permit applications for sites in or near restricted zones until TAHC boundaries are verified.
  • Clarify Renewals: Legal counsel should formally request a guidance letter from DSHS regarding their interpretation of "issuance" as it applies to annual renewals for existing license holders.
  • Update Due Diligence: Revise site selection checklists to create a hard stop for any land within TAHC-designated zones.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Real Estate Purchase Agreements: Must include contingency clauses allowing termination if the property is designated as "high risk" by TAHC prior to closing.
  • Supply Agreements: Processors must amend Master Supply Agreements (MSAs) to include immediate termination rights if a producer’s permit is revoked due to rezoning.
  • Leases: Tenants operating dairies require specific force majeure or termination clauses addressing the regulatory inability to obtain permits due to disease zoning.

Hiring/Training

  • Site Selection: Real estate and development teams must be trained to cross-reference all potential sites against current TAHC bovine tuberculosis risk maps before making offers.
  • Compliance Monitoring: Designate a regulatory affairs officer to subscribe to TAHC rulemaking notifications to track expanding risk zones.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Zoning Verification: Maintain a "Zone Clearance" file for every permitted facility, documenting that the site was outside TAHC restricted zones at the time of permit issuance.
  • Epidemiological Records: Facilities adjacent to high-risk zones must maintain rigorous testing records to prove epidemiological separation, should boundaries be challenged.

Fees & Costs

  • Asset Valuation: Immediate potential devaluation of land located within TAHC-designated zones, as it can no longer be permitted for bovine dairy use.
  • Insurance: Review Business Interruption policies; standard policies likely exclude revenue loss caused by this type of government regulatory action.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Issue" vs. "Renew": The statute prohibits DSHS from *issuing* a permit. It does not explicitly exempt *renewals*. There is a high risk DSHS will interpret this to ban the renewal of permits for existing farms that fall into newly designated zones.
  • Definition of "High Risk": The statute leaves the definition of "high risk" to TAHC discretion. It is unclear if TAHC will designate entire counties or specific GPS radii.
  • Appeals Process: The legislation lacks a statutory appeals mechanism for producers to contest a "high risk" designation applied to their specific property.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Nov 13, 2024
Passed House
Apr 30, 2025
Passed Senate
May 21, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsAgricultureAnimalsHealthHealth--other Diseases & Medical ConditionsMilkPermitsTuberculosisState Health Services, Department of
03

House Authors

Rep. Mary GonzalezDemocrat · Primary Author

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Cesar BlancoDemocrat · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Rep. Mary Gonzalez

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Related by Topic

View more Agriculture legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB1275

Q

What does Texas HB1275 do?

HB1275 immediately prohibits the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) from issuing permits to bovine dairy farms located in areas designated by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) as infected with or at high risk for tuberculosis. This legislation effectively creates geographic "no-go" zones for dairy operations, impacting site selection for new projects and creating significant regulatory risk for existing facilities within these boundaries.

Q

Who authored HB1275?

HB1275 was authored by Texas Representative Mary Gonzalez during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB1275 signed into law?

HB1275 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB1275?

HB1275 is enforced by Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC).

Q

How significant are the changes in HB1275?

The regulatory priority for HB1275 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB1275?

The cost impact of HB1275 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB1275 address?

HB1275 addresses topics including agriculture, animals, health, health--other diseases & medical conditions and milk.

Q

What are the key dates for HB1275?

Key dates for HB1275: Effective date is 2025-06-20. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Q

Which Texas businesses are affected by HB1275?

HB1275 primarily affects healthcare providers and medical facilities. These businesses should review the legislation with their legal and compliance teams to understand potential impacts.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026