LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) _ Texas farm and ranch groups are glad lawmakers have taken steps to revisit eminent domain law. But they say it’s “nowhere near” what’s needed in a state where most land is privately held.
Texas Farm Bureau spokesman Gene Hall says that if voters approve a constitutional amendment in November, it would bring “improved but still bad eminent domain law” to the state.
Together with Texas cattle industry groups, the bureau is hoping Gov. Rick Perry calls a special session and that eminent domain will be on the list of items designated for discussion.
Perry hasn’t said whether he intends to call a special session.
If he does, cattle industry leaders say the additional protections for private property owners that were part of SB18 should be taken up. Those provisions include offers that represent fair market value, compensation to landowners for diminished access to their property and the right to repurchase the land at the same price for which it was sold if nothing is done with it after 10 years.
Texas leads the nation in private property ownership, having three times more than any other state.