The House Land & Resource Management Committee heard hours of testimony on HB 1483, SB 18's companion, and HB 4, SB 533's companion, and several other eminent domain reform bills and joint resolutions on Wednesday, March 25th. Lauren registered TLC's support of HB 1483, HB 4, HB 1385, HB 1432, HJR 14, HJR 31, and HJR 65 at the hearing.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Senate State Affairs Hearing Monday, March 30th
The Senate State Affairs Committee has scheduled SB 18 by Estes and SB 533 by Duncan for public hearing Monday, March 30th at 10 am in the Senate Chamber.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Groups Show Support for SB 682
Yesterday, Jimmy and leaders of Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Texas Eagle Forum, Keller Horse Owners Association, US Boer Goat Association, Mid South Natural Organic Farms, and Texas Farmers Union testified in support of SB 682 by Eltife before the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committtee.
The bill would keep USDA's National Animal Identification System (NAIS) voluntary in Texas until the federal government makes the program mandatory, would allow participants to withdraw at any time, and would prohibit a person from making participation in any other program (stock show, etc.) contingent on participation in NAIS.
Representatives from Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) gave neutral testimony on the bill and offered their concerns about NAIS' potential costs and liability for producers. TSCRA's website, however, states that the organization opposes SB 682.
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) and Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) gave testimony opposing the bill. TFB's policy supports a voluntary NAIS but TFB contends that the bill is unnecessary and imposes a fee on participants. TCFA's policy supports a mandatory NAIS.
SB 682 was left pending in committee.
House Land & Resource Management Hearing Wednesday, March 25th
The House Land & Resource Management Committee has scheduled several eminent domain reform bills (including HB 4 by Orr, a committee member; HB 1385 by Davis; HB 1432 by Jackson; and HB 1483 by Pitts) and joint resolutions (HJR 14 by Corte, HJR 31 by Anderson, and HJR 65 by Davis) for public hearing on Wednesday, March 25rd at 8 am in E2.012 at the Capitol. TLC will support these bills and resolutions.
HB 4 would require entities with eminent domain authority to notify the State Comptroller’s office of their authority and which provision of law granted them this power. HB 1385 would require adequate compensation for the taking of a homestead or farm, including relocation costs. HB 1432 would allow a landowner to repurchase property acquired through eminent domain from the condemning entity if the public use is cancelled, if no "actual progress" (significant amount of labor performed, materials furnished, etc.) is made on the project 5 years after the acquisition, or if the property becomes unnecessary for the public use. HB 1483 is similar to last session’s comprehensive eminent domain reform bill, HB 2006, which was vetoed by Governor Perry.
HJR 14 would create a constitutional amendment to limit the condemnation of private property for public use. HJR 31 would create a constitutional amendment to prohibit condemnation for private property for economic development or to benefit a particular private party. HJR 65 would create a constitutional amendment to require adequate compensation for the taking of a homestead or farm (similar to HB 1385).
HB 4's companion in the Senate, SB 533 by Duncan, and HB 1483's companion, SB 18 by Estes, have been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee, which Duncan chairs. HB 1483 is a duplicate of HB 402 by Woolley, which has been referred to the House Land & Resource Management Committee.
HB 4 would require entities with eminent domain authority to notify the State Comptroller’s office of their authority and which provision of law granted them this power. HB 1385 would require adequate compensation for the taking of a homestead or farm, including relocation costs. HB 1432 would allow a landowner to repurchase property acquired through eminent domain from the condemning entity if the public use is cancelled, if no "actual progress" (significant amount of labor performed, materials furnished, etc.) is made on the project 5 years after the acquisition, or if the property becomes unnecessary for the public use. HB 1483 is similar to last session’s comprehensive eminent domain reform bill, HB 2006, which was vetoed by Governor Perry.
HJR 14 would create a constitutional amendment to limit the condemnation of private property for public use. HJR 31 would create a constitutional amendment to prohibit condemnation for private property for economic development or to benefit a particular private party. HJR 65 would create a constitutional amendment to require adequate compensation for the taking of a homestead or farm (similar to HB 1385).
HB 4's companion in the Senate, SB 533 by Duncan, and HB 1483's companion, SB 18 by Estes, have been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee, which Duncan chairs. HB 1483 is a duplicate of HB 402 by Woolley, which has been referred to the House Land & Resource Management Committee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)