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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the initial use of certain property acquired for a |
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public use. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 2206, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2206.003 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2206.003. INITIAL USE OF ACQUIRED PROPERTY. (a) |
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Except as provided by this section, a real property interest |
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acquired through eminent domain must initially be used for the |
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public use for which the property was acquired. |
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(b) For purposes of this section, a real property interest |
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is acquired through eminent domain if the property is purchased by |
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an entity with eminent domain authority in connection with an offer |
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under Section 21.0113, Property Code. |
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(c) This section does not apply to a real property interest |
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acquired for the production, gathering, treating, processing, |
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transportation, or distribution of oil, gas, or other petroleum |
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products. |
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(d) A real property interest acquired through eminent |
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domain may be initially used for a use other than the use for which |
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the property was acquired if: |
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(1) the entity that acquired the property through |
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eminent domain offers to sell the property to the original owner or |
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the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns at the price for which the |
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property was acquired, and the original owner or the owner's heirs, |
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successors, or assigns do not purchase the property on or before the |
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180th day after the date notice of the offer is given as prescribed |
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by Subsection (f); |
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(2) the entity makes a good faith effort to locate and |
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provide notice to the original owner or the owner's heirs, |
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successors, or assigns as prescribed by Subsection (f), and the |
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owner or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns cannot be |
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located after one year; or |
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(3) the entity obtains a release from the original |
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owner or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns declining the |
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offer to sell the property and allowing the property to be used for |
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a use other than the use for which the property was acquired. |
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(e) The entity may pay compensation to obtain a release |
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described by Subsection (d)(3). |
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(f) For purposes of giving notice of an offer under |
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Subsection (d), the entity shall send by certified mail, return |
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receipt requested, to the original owner or the owner's heirs, |
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successors, or assigns a notice containing: |
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(1) an identification, which is not required to be a |
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legal description, of the real property interest that was acquired; |
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(2) an identification of the public use for which the |
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property had been acquired and a statement that the entity wishes to |
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initially use the property for a use other than the one for which |
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the property was acquired; |
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(3) a description of the rights of the original owner |
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or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns under this section to |
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repurchase the property or be paid for a release; |
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(4) the amount for which the original owner or the |
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owner's heirs, successors, or assigns may repurchase the property; |
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and |
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(5) if applicable, the terms of the release the entity |
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is seeking from the original owner or the owner's heirs, |
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successors, or assigns. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Property Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.0114 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.0114. PUBLIC USE DISCLOSURE IN OFFER. (a) Except |
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as provided by this section, an entity with eminent domain |
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authority that makes an offer under Section 21.0113 must state with |
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specificity in the initial and final offers the public use for which |
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the entity intends to acquire the property. |
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(b) This section does not apply to an offer made for a real |
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property interest intended to be acquired for the production, |
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gathering, treating, processing, transportation, or distribution |
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of oil, gas, or other petroleum products. |
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SECTION 3. (a) Section 2206.003, Government Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to a repurchase of a real property |
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interest acquired through eminent domain with respect to which the |
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initial offer under Section 21.0113, Property Code, is made on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. |
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(b) Section 21.0114, Property Code, as added by this Act, |
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applies only to an offer under Section 21.0113, Property Code, with |
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respect to which the initial offer is made on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |