Texas rerouted a highway after taking their land; now owners want it back

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a claim to buy back land acquired for a highway can proceed after a change in the project's route left part of the property unused. The case concerns land in Tomball, Harris County. The state acquired it from Joyce Hutcherson, Rudolph Pusok and Jimmie Pusok in 2014. After the route changed, the state identified part of the land as surplus but refused to sell it back. The former owners later transferred their repurchase rights to JRJ Pusok Holdings LLC. The company then took the matter to court. On June 12, 2026, the state's highest court allowed the claim to proceed. However, it did not order Texas to return the land.How Texas acquired the propertyThe dispute began in October 2013. Texas notified the landowners that it intended to acquire their property for a highway project. The state initially offered $496,120 in compensation. After the offer was not accepted, condemnation proceedings began.In April 2014, both sides agreed on a value of $681,705. The property was then transferred to the state through a special warranty deed. The condemnation case was later dismissed following the settlement.Officials later changed the highway's route. As a r...