KOLKHORST PASSES SENATE BILL TO PROTECT LANDOWNERS’ RIGHT

  

Senator Lois Kolkhorst has helped pass legislation that will help level the playing field for landowners.

Senate Bill 474 requires condemnors to pay the costs and fees incurred by landowners in eminent domain proceedings if the amount of damages awarded to the landowner is at least 20 percent greater than the initial amount the entity offered to pay. This legislation enjoyed broad support from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas Wildlife Association among others.

"Landowners across Texas are often forced to accept low offers for their property in condemnation cases because they can't afford to fight to get fair compensation. If landowners are forced to go through the condemnation process under current law, they are never really made whole because of the legal fees and appraisal costs they must pay." said Kolkhorst. "Senate Bill 474 protects landowners whose property is taken for public use by strengthening their ability to fight for fair compensation."

Texas Senate District 18 includes all or parts of 21 counties including Aransas, Austin, Burleson, Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, Victoria, Waller, Washington, and Wharton. Senator Kolkhorst and her husband Jim have been married for 27 years and have two children, Lois Kate and Jake. Senator Kolkhorst had previously served House District 13 in the Texas House of Representatives for 14 years.