TX State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst joined several statewide advocates for property rights to announce the filing of Senate Bill 421 which seeks to strengthen Texas property rights. If passed, Kolkhorst said the legislation would create a substantially more fair, equitable and transparent eminent domain process.

“Since the days of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, Texans have valued on our freedom to own private property,” said Kolkhorst. “To continue that proud tradition, I have filed SB 421 to see that the eminent domain process used by private entities is fair, transparent and that those entities are held accountable when they take private land.”

According to Kolkhorst, Senate Bill 421 features several statutory changes, including: mandating a public meeting to ensure property owners understand the process and can have their question answered, stipulating minimum protections that must be present in the contract, as well as holding condemners accountable if they offer property owners less compensation than they are owed.