February 16, 2017 — Austin

The Texas REALTORS® officially announced it has joined the Texans for Property Rights Coalition to advocate for eminent domain reform during the 85^th Texas Legislature.

“Texans continue to struggle with an unbalanced set of eminent domain laws at odds with a state known for private-property rights,” TAR Chairman Vicki Fullerton said. “We believe significant improvements can be made to enhance protections on private-property rights for Texans.”

TAR adds the strength of more than 110,000 Texas REALTORS® to this broad-based coalition of grassroots organizations.

“In Texas, property ownership is the bedrock on which our heritage is built, and we are pleased that the Texas REALTORS® has once again joined the fight to uphold private-property rights,” said Texans for Property Rights spokeswoman Marissa Patton. “The unequitable process by which property is taken from rural and urban homeowners and landowners alike must be brought into balance. Texans for Property Rights looks forward to working toward a fair and balanced eminent domain process,” Patton said.

Eminent domain reforms are one of TAR’s priorities for the 85^th Texas Legislature, but TAR has actively supported eminent domain reform for years.

In 2011, TAR applauded Gov. Rick Perry for signing into law a bill that tightened restrictions on the ability of state and local governments to invoke eminent domain authority to convert private property for public use.

In 2009, Texas REALTORS® spearheaded important eminent domain reform, including passage of Proposition 11, which voters approved with 81% of the vote. And in 2005, Texas REALTORS® supported SB 7, which prohibited entities with the authority to use eminent domain from condemning private property for economic purposes.

“Private-property rights are sacred to Texans, yet they are threatened whenever the government uses eminent domain. We believe property owners should be treated fairly and protected from abusive eminent domain practices,” Fullerton said.