SENATE APPROVES EMINENT DOMAIN BILL

(AUSTIN) — On Wednesday, the Senate passed eminent domain legislation aimed at protecting private property rights. SB 18, by Senator Craig Estes of Wichita Falls, would require a governmental entity intending to take private land for public use to offer a good faith offer in writing that meets appraised value of that property. It would also permit an owner to repurchase the land at the price the government paid for it if the public use purpose is not advanced within 10 years.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst praised Senators for unanimously passing SB 18. "In a rapidly growing state like Texas, eminent domain reform is vitally important to preserving our private property rights and making sure that our infrastructure needs are addressed in a way that is fair to land owners," he said. This legislation was one of the issues placed on the emergency call by Governor Rick Perry, and now heads over to the House of Representatives for their approval.

The Senate will reconvene Monday, February 14 at 1:30 p.m.

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