2023 Legislative Session Open Space Bills

Bill Information:
HB 634 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as
qualified open-space land. (J. M. Lozano)
SB 262 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as
qualified open-space land. (Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa) (Identical to HB 634)
SB 2427 – Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as
qualified open-space land. (Judith Zaffirini)

Why does it matter to TBA?
2022-2023 Resolution
Whereas the 1-D-1 Open Space Agriculture Use Appraisal has greatly benefited bees
and beekeepers in Texas,
Be it Resolved that TBA will strive to maintain the special use valuation for beekeepers
and seek to educate local appraisal districts regarding bees and beekeeping requirements
through the state.
It was a wise decision by the Texas Legislature to include honey bees as agriculture
qualifying for open-space valuation. It has significantly increased both bee colonies and
beekeepers in the state, which we believe is beneficial in many ways including:

  • Increasing awareness of land-owners as responsible stewards of the land for
    pollinators and natural resources. Landowners who allow bees on their property
    often become more ecologically aware.
  • More responsible and natural beekeeping by encouraging landowners to allow
    beekeepers access to their land; thus allowing beekeepers to maintain lower
    population bee yards.
  • Promotion of the agricultural and beekeeping industry – encouraging access to land with natural forage for beekeepers while agricultural pollination crops are not in bloom.

Many of our TBA members have expended substantial resources and worked hard to
satisfy the requirements of their local appraisal districts to qualify land for 1-d-1
valuation.

Bill History:
There have been numerous bills introduced this session that are favorable to increasing
open-space land in Texas in contrast to SB 1892.

Bill Analysis:
These three bills propose changes that would be favorable to landowners seeking to
qualify land for beekeeping.

SB 262 and its companion bill HB 634 would lower the time to qualify land from five to
two years out of the last seven years.

SB 2427 would lower the time to qualify land used for bees from five out of the past
seven years to three out of the past five years.