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Eminent Domain Reform Died In Session

On May 27, 2019, after countless hours of negotiations, the Texas Legislature still couldn’t reach an agreement over protecting landowner rights in Eminent Domain. Legislators pledge to keep it at the top of their list in future sessions.

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst’s bill, SB 421 would have mandated public meetings between property owners and big industry groups, put steps in place to prevent low-ball offers, and tried to help level the playing field. This was the third time she had presented eminent domain legislation to the Texas Legislature.

State Representative Tom Craddick, who took over the bill when it was presented to his committee, weakened the SB 421 in favor of the condemning authority. Craddick blamed Kolkhorst, claiming she was unwilling to meet with him prior to the legislative deadline.

Bibliography

Anchondo, C. (2019, May 27). Eminent Domain reform dies in Texas Legislature this session. The Texas Tribune(Eminent Domain Reform), 1-4. Retrieved from https://www.texastribune.org/2019/05/27/eminent-domain-reform-died-in-the-texas-legislature/