PERRY MOVES TO PROTECT LANDOWNERS

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) – Governor Perry signed legislation yesterday that will protect Texas landowners from eminent domain.

If approved by voters in November, House Joint Resolution 14 will establish greater protections for property owners by including landowner rights in the Texas Constitution.

"Land ownership is an essential part of Texas' culture, and we owe it to our citizens to protect their rights as landowners and members of the community from government entities that overstep their bounds and abuse eminent domain," Perry said.
The resolution will require two-thirds of all house members to approve any request granting eminent domain authority to a party.

The bill will also prevent government entities from labeling a neighborhood as “blighted” without taking into account each individual property.