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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the recovery of costs and fees in connection with |
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certain eminent domain proceedings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 21.047, Property Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) If the amount of damages awarded by the special |
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commissioners is at least 10 percent greater than the amount of the |
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condemnor's initial offer or if the commissioners' award is |
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appealed and a court awards damages in an amount that is at least 10 |
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percent greater than the amount of the condemnor's initial offer, |
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the condemnor shall pay: |
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(1) all costs as provided by Subsection (a); and |
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(2) any reasonable attorney's fees and other |
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professional fees incurred by the property owner in connection with |
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the eminent domain proceeding. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an eminent domain proceeding commenced on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. An eminent domain proceeding commenced before the |
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effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the |
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proceeding immediately before the effective date of this Act, and |
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that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |