Texas House Bill HB1385

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the assessment of damages to a property owner from condemnation.

Impact

One of the notable impacts of HB1385 is the emphasis it places on the individual circumstances of property owners facing condemnation. By allowing evidence related to the financial burdens of relocation to be considered, the bill aims to provide a more equitable compensation framework. Therefore, this could lead to higher compensation amounts for property owners, allowing them to reestablish themselves without incurring excessive debt as a result of the loss of their property. Additionally, the bill ensures that damages peculiar to the property owner's ownership, use, or enjoyment are factored into the condemnation process, protecting homeowners' rights against generalized assessments that may overlook personal circumstances.

Summary

House Bill 1385 focuses on the assessment of damages to property owners resulting from condemnation actions. The proposed legislation amends existing statutes in the Texas Property Code to ensure that special commissioners evaluate not only the market value of the property being condemned but also specific financial damages that a property owner may incur due to required relocation. This includes ensuring that property owners can maintain a comparable standard of living or operational capacity, depending on whether the property in question is a homestead or a farm.

Contention

There could be points of contention surrounding HB1385, particularly from governmental agencies or entities that engage in property condemnations for infrastructure or development projects. Critics may argue that the expanded criteria for assessing damages could lead to increased financial liabilities for the state or local governments, complicating the condemnation process. Furthermore, the focus on unique individual circumstances could create disparities in how different property owners are treated, raising concerns about fairness and consistency across condemnation proceedings.