In DeVillier v. Texas, the Supreme Court issued a narrow ruling in an important Takings Clause case. Richard DeVillier and other property owners whose land was damaged by flooding caused by actions of state agencies will be able to proceed under a Texas state law cause of action. But the Court did not resolve the issue of whether the Takings Clause is "self-executing"—allowing property owners whose land has been taken to bring cases in federal court even in the absence of a specific federal statute authorizing it.
