A bill that further tightens state and local governments’ ability to invoke eminent domain was signed into law June 1. Here are some of the ways it better protects property owners:
• It requires government entities to make reasonable purchase offers to landowners for their property.
• It allows property owners to buy back their land at the original price 10 years later if it hasn’t been used by then.
• It adds criteria that agencies must meet before declaring eminent domain over private property.
The Texas Association of REALTORS® spearheaded this reform in its longstanding efforts to protect private-property rights.
