By Davis Mintz, Travis Audubon Advocacy Committee

Photo by Alan Zhou

On Monday, April 7, the Senate Local Government Committee had a hearing on SB 1927 by Sen. Adam Hinojosa, which prohibits city ordinances restricting the removal of ashe juniper trees. You can watch testimony by Audubon Texas and others against SB 1927 during this hearing; witnesses dispelled myths about the trees and highlighted unintended consequences such as the threat to Golden-cheeked Warblers and soil erosion that may occur if landowners can indiscriminately clear cut Ashe junipers. The bill was left pending in committee and may be voted on soon. To date, there has not been action on HB 3798 by Rep. Ellen Troxclair, the House companion bill.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted the Senate Committee on Local Government to express your concern with SB 1927.