Cattle Raisers praise passage of Senate Bill 474

TSCRA praised passage of Senate Bill 474 on Thursday, which helps landowners receive a fair offer in eminent domain proceedings. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst,, R-Brenham, authored the legislation that was passed in the Texas State Senate by a 25-6 vote.
“I am very pleased this important legislation passed the Senate,” said TSCRA President Pete Bonds, Saginaw. “Many times too often landowners are forced to accept lowball offers in condemnation cases because they can’t afford litigation that could help them receive fair compensation for their property. Fortunately, this bill helps level the playing field for landowners by requiring condemnors to pay the landowner’s litigation fees if the initial offer is too low.”
SB 474 requires condemnors to pay the attorney and professional fees incurred by landowners if the amount of damages awarded by the special commissioners is at least 20 percent greater than the amount the condemnor offered to pay before the proceedings began or if the commissioners; award is appealed and a court awards damages in an amount that is at least 20 percent greater than the amount the condemnor offered to pay before the proceedings began.
“TSCRA appreciates Sen. Kolkhorst for her hard work on this legislation and for always going to bat for Texas landowners. We encourage legislators in the House to pass this bill so it can be sent to the governor’s desk for his signature,” Bonds said.