Live Oak County Farm Bureau leaders are optimistic that an eminent domain reform bill will pass early in the next legislative session.

“Both the Texas House and Senate overwhelmingly passed an eminent reform bill, HB 2006, during the last session,” said Live Oak County Farm Bureau President Lloyd Stewart. “Unfortunately, the governor vetoed it.”

Stewart stressed that are three essential elements of any eminent domain legislation.

The first, he said, is to require condemning authorities to negotiate in good faith with a landowner before they take him into court to condemn his land.

Second is a requirement to make sure the property is truly being condemned for public use.

Third, he said, is that compensation issues must be fixed for landowners.

Stewart said there is strong support for eminent domain reform in the Texas legislature, but acknowledged opponents to changes in the laws are out in full force.

“Legislators need to understand that property owners who lose their property expect to be treated fairly,” said Stewart. “Reform of Texas’ eminent domain reform laws is the right thing to do.”