Bill Text: TX SB201 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the assessment of damages resulting from the condemnation of property that is subject to a conservation easement.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-15 - Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development [SB201 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB201-Introduced.html
  88R3017 KBB-D
 
  By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 201
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the assessment of damages resulting from the
  condemnation of property that is subject to a conservation
  easement.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 21.041, Property Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 21.041.  EVIDENCE.  As the basis for assessing actual
  damages to a property owner from a condemnation, the special
  commissioners shall admit evidence on:
               (1)  the value of the property being condemned;
               (2)  the injury to the property owner;
               (3)  the benefit to the property owner's remaining
  property; [and]
               (4)  the use of the property for the purpose of the
  condemnation; and 
               (5)  if the property is subject to a conservation
  easement created under Chapter 183, Natural Resources Code, the
  local market value of the property based on the property's highest
  and best use without consideration of the property's conservation
  easement status.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 21, Property Code, is
  amended by adding Section 21.0422 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.0422.  ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES: CONSERVATION
  EASEMENTS.  (a)  Notwithstanding Section 21.042(b), if an entire
  tract or parcel that is subject to a conservation easement created
  under Chapter 183, Natural Resources Code, is condemned, the damage
  to the property owner is an amount equal to the local market value
  of the property based on the property's highest and best use without
  consideration of the property's conservation easement status.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 21.042(c), if a portion of a
  tract or parcel that is subject to a conservation easement created
  under Chapter 183, Natural Resources Code, is condemned, the
  special commissioners shall determine the damage to the property
  owner after estimating the extent of the injury and benefit to the
  property owner:
               (1)  based on the property's highest and best use
  without consideration of the property's conservation easement
  status; and
               (2)  including the effect of the condemnation on the
  value of the property owner's remaining property, based on the
  remaining property's highest and best use without consideration of
  the remaining property's conservation easement status.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a condemnation proceeding commenced on or after the effective date
  of this Act.  A condemnation proceeding commenced before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the
  condemnation proceeding immediately before the effective date of
  this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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