The Texas Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would give property owners more rights, when the government wants to exercise eminent domain. The bill was one of a handful of issues that Governor Rick Perry designated "emergency legislation," to bring it to the senate floor within the first two months of the legislative session.
The bill prevents governmental entites from taking property from a landowner, unless that land is going to be put to public use. Governments are also required to make a bona fide purchase offer and give the owner the option to buy the land back, if the public project hasn't started in 10 years.
The proposal now moves to the Texas House for consideration.
