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.