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The Texas Senate has passed a bill that its authors said will strengthen protections for property owners by closing a loophole in the state’s eminent domain law. That loophole, the bill’s proponents said, has allowed private and government entities to seize property at unfair prices by placing the onus and financial burden on property owners to challenge such taking in court. Critics, however, say the new measure still panders to special interests and is not specific enough.

Critics of the bill worry its provisions aren’t specific enough to prevent recurrences of past abuse. Proponents said the bill covers most eminent domain situations, but it may not cover all of them, including when the buyback provision might apply. Critics are calling for members in the House Land and Resources Committee to make improvements to the bill.