Eminent domain debate in full swing

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Sen. Craig Estes filed a bill on Tuesday that Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst immediately announced would get a low bill number, so it has a better chance of making its way through the legislature. SB 18 would strengthen eminent domain laws in the state and is similar to an eminent domain bill passed in 2007 that Governor Rick Perry subsequently vetoed. SB 18 is similar to that bill, but Dewhurst believes the outcome this session will be different.

"I believe we can come to a consensus where property owners, farmers, ranchers, the Farm Bureau as well as our state agencies and TxDot can live with this bill," he said.

Governor Perry recently announced he wants to put the eminent domain law that was passed previously in the state constitution. However, many rural landowners have complained that it does not address all property rights and still leaves the government too much power when it comes to taking proper for the public use.

 

 

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