Have you been impacted by eminent domain? Do you think Texas landowners deserve a more fair process? Several eminent domain meetings will be held across the Lone Star State to discuss those issues, along with ideas to safeguard Texans’ private property rights.

“All land and property owners are invited to attend a meeting to hear from experts and learn about efforts to better protect their property rights,” Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) President Russell Boening said. “Come learn about how you can get involved and have your voice heard.”

Property owners who attend will learn about upcoming legislative efforts to achieve fairness in the laws that govern the use of eminent domain in Texas. An overview of current laws will be discussed along with possible improvements.

The meetings are held jointly by the Texas Farm Bureau, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Forestry Association, South Texans’ Property Rights Association, Texas Poultry Association, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, Independent Cattlemen’s Association, Texas Grain Sorghum Association, Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. and Texas Land & Mineral Owners Association.

The eminent domain meetings currently scheduled are listed below:

Jourdanton 
Thursday, Oct. 27
6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Cowboy Fellowship of Atascosa County
561 FM 3350
Jourdanton, Texas 78026

Hempstead
Tuesday, Nov. 1
6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Blackwood Educational Center
27144 Rock Island Road
Hempstead, Texas 77445

Corsicana 
Wednesday, Nov. 2
6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Navarro County Exposition Center
1921 N. 45th Street
Corsicana, Texas 75110

Lufkin 
Monday, Nov. 14
5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Pitser Garrison Civic Center – Lufkin Room
601 N. 2nd Street
Lufkin, Texas 75901

Bastrop
Tuesday, Nov. 15
6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center
1408 Chestnut Street
Bastrop, Texas 78602

Beaumont
Thursday, Nov. 17
6 p.m.-7 p.m.
The Holiday Inn & Suites Beaumont Plaza, Austin Room
3950 I-10 South (at Walden Road)
Beaumont, Texas 77705

A Lubbock meeting will be scheduled for December, as well as a webinar.

“The Lone Star State is growing, which means new development has put a target on Texas private property,” Boening said. “Landowners are left searching for a fair offer in eminent domain cases, and we want to bring about reform to eminent domain in Texas.”

Under the current law, landowners must pay attorney fees out of pocket, never allowing them to truly be made whole. Lowball early offers from some property takers—pipeline companies, electric utilities and others—often discourage landowners from appealing because of those legal fees.

Legislation to mitigate those lowball offers could help make a taking of private property a little more fair.

Contact TFB Associate Legislative Director Marissa Patton at mpatton@txfb.org or 512-472-8288 with questions regarding eminent domain takings.