Legislation

89th Legislative Session Priority Bills

In Texas, condemnation is an unfair process for landowners. Reform is needed to improve the transparency, fairness, and accountability for property owners. The following bills were supported by Texas Landowners for Eminent Domain Reform last session:

Despite progress to reform eminent domain in recent years, condemnation remains an unfair process for landowners. Reform is still needed to improve the transparency, fairness, and accountability for property owners. The following is a preliminary list of bills supported by our organization so far this session:

HB 2706 by Zwiener
Disallows Quick Take of Property

HB 2706 is a bill that prevents a private condemner from immediately accessing a landowner’s property to start construction if there is pending litigation. The bill states that a private entity cannot take possession of a landowner’s property until at least 180 days after a Special Commission’s award has been made should there be pending litigation of any kind including an objection to the award. This bill does not apply to public entities such as the state, county, city, etc.

SB 291 by Schwertner
Appraisal Submissions

This bill states that if a condemning entity fails to meet the requirements regarding any and all appraisal reports relating to a landowner’s property according to statute requirements, the condemning entity will be liable for the landowner’s attorney fees in connection with the entity’s acquisition of the property.

SB 292 by Schwertner
Multiple topics

This is a refile of SB 1513 from the 2023 legislative session. SB 292 provides additional language in the Landowner’s Bill of Rights regarding the existing rights and obligations of both the condemning entity and the property owner regarding surveys, notice, and offers to acquire additional property outside of condemnation.

The bill filing deadline is March 14, 2025. We will update this list as good eminent domain legislation is offered. To learn more about these bills, visit capitol.texas.gov or write us at info@TxLEDreform.org for more information.