For Immediate Release: April 14, 2011
Contact: Carmen Fenton, 512-469-0171
FORT WORTH, Texas – The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) today applauded House passage of SB 18, also known as the eminent domain bill.
“This bill reforms Texas eminent domain laws to better protect the private property rights of landowners, something Texas ranchers have been working on for a long time,” said Joe Parker, Jr., rancher and president of TSCRA.
“TSCRA would like to thank the Texas Legislature for their years of hard work on this legislation. We look forward to it becoming law,” Parker continued.
SB 18, filed by Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and sponsored by Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) reforms the eminent domain laws in Texas by requiring the following:
• A public and record vote to initiate eminent domain proceedings. All entities with eminent domain authority must register with the Comptroller by December 2012.
• Condemning entities must make a bona fide offer in writing and if not, pay the property owner’s expenses and attorney fees.
• Impariment of direct access to the remaining property must be identified and taken into consideration when determining compensation.
• Land must be sold back at the price it was condemned if not used within 10 years.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 134-year-old trade organization. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.
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