AUSTIN – Legislation filed by State Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles and heard this week by the House Public Safety Committee would provide relief to landowners whose property is damaged during pursuits involving law enforcement agencies.

House Bill 453 intends to address the issue by providing a mechanism in state law allowing law enforcement agencies to reimburse landowners using funds obtained from the auction of abandoned vehicles, watercraft or outboard motors.

Current law does not allow abandoned vehicle auction proceeds to be used for such a purpose.

“For too long many landowners have been forced to absorb the cost of replacing fences and other personal property damaged by those seeking to evade law enforcement because local agencies simply did not have the resources,” Toureilles said. “Many times perpetrators will crash into a fence or gate simply to knock it down so they can then attempt to escape on foot.

“Landowners affected through no actions of their own would have additional recourse with the passage of this legislation.”

The bill also would provide relief to local law enforcement agency budgets by providing an alternate funding source for such expenditures.

Toureilles encourages her constituents to contact her and her staff by calling 1-800-240-2294.