2005 Texas Property Code CHAPTER 21. EMINENT DOMAIN


PROPERTY CODE
TITLE 4. ACTIONS AND REMEDIES
CHAPTER 21. EMINENT DOMAIN
SUBCHAPTER A. JURISDICTION
§ 21.001. CONCURRENT JURISDICTION. District courts and county courts at law have concurrent jurisdiction in eminent domain cases. A county court has no jurisdiction in eminent domain cases. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3498, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.002. TRANSFER OF CASES. If an eminent domain case is pending in a county court at law and the court determines that the case involves an issue of title or any other matter that cannot be fully adjudicated in that court, the judge shall transfer the case to a district court. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3498, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.003. DISTRICT COURT AUTHORITY. A district court may determine all issues, including the authority to condemn property and the assessment of damages, in any suit: (1) in which this state, a political subdivision of this state, a person, an association of persons, or a corporation is a party; and (2) that involves a claim for property or for damages to property occupied by the party under the party's eminent domain authority or for an injunction to prevent the party from entering or using the property under the party's eminent domain authority. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3498, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
SUBCHAPTER B. PROCEDURE
§ 21.011. STANDARD PROCEDURE. Exercise of the eminent domain authority in all cases is governed by Sections 21.012 through 21.016 of this code. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3498, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.0111. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED. (a) A governmental entity with eminent domain authority that wants to acquire real property for a public use shall disclose to the property owner at the time an offer to purchase is made any and all existing appraisal reports produced or acquired by the governmental entity relating specifically to the owner's property and used in determining the final valuation offer. (b) A property owner shall disclose to the acquiring governmental entity any and all existing appraisal reports produced or acquired by the property owner relating specifically to the owner's property and used in determining the owner's opinion of value. Such disclosure shall take place within 10 days of receipt of appraisal reports but no later than 10 days prior to the special commissioner's hearing. A subsequent bona fide purchaser for value from the governmental entity may conclusively presume that the requirement of this section has been met. This section does not apply to acquisitions of real property for which a governmental entity does not have eminent domain authority. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 566, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995. § 21.012. CONDEMNATION PETITION. (a) If the United States, this state, a political subdivision of this state, a corporation with eminent domain authority, or an irrigation, water improvement, or water power control district created by law wants to acquire real property for public use but is unable to agree with the owner of the property on the amount of damages, the condemning entity may begin a condemnation proceeding by filing a petition in the proper court. (b) The petition must: (1) describe the property to be condemned; (2) state the purpose for which the entity intends to use the property; (3) state the name of the owner of the property if the owner is known; and (4) state that the entity and the property owner are unable to agree on the damages. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3498, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.0121. CONDEMNATION TO ACQUIRE WATER RIGHTS. (a) In addition to the contents prescribed by Section 21.012(b), a condemnation petition filed by a political subdivision of this state for the purpose of acquiring rights to groundwater or surface water must state that the facts to be proven are that the political subdivision has: (1) prepared a drought contingency plan; (2) developed and implemented a water conservation plan that will result in the highest practicable levels of water conservation and efficiency achievable in the political subdivision's jurisdiction; (3) made a bona fide good faith effort to obtain practicable alternative water supplies to the water rights the political subdivision proposes to condemn; (4) made a bona fide good faith effort to acquire the rights to the water the political subdivision proposes to condemn by voluntary purchase or lease; and (5) made a showing that the political subdivision needs the water rights to provide for the domestic needs of the political subdivision within the next 10-year period. (b) A court shall deny the right to condemn unless the political subdivision proves to the court that the political subdivision has met the requirements of Subsection (a). Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1032, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 21.013. VENUE; FEES AND PROCESSING FOR SUIT FILED IN DISTRICT COURT. (a) The venue of a condemnation proceeding is the county in which the owner of the property being condemned resides if the owner resides in a county in which part of the property is located. Otherwise, the venue of a condemnation proceeding is any county in which at least part of the property is located. (b) Except where otherwise provided by law, a party initiating a condemnation proceeding in a county in which there is one or more county courts at law with jurisdiction shall file the petition with any clerk authorized to handle such filings for that court or courts. (c) A party initiating a condemnation proceeding in a county in which there is not a county court at law must file the condemnation petition with the district clerk. The filing fee shall be due at the time of filing in accordance with Section 51.317, Government Code. (d) District and county clerks shall assign an equal number of eminent domain cases in rotation to each court with jurisdiction that the clerk serves. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3499, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 760, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 756, § 1, eff. June 18, 1999. § 21.014. SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS. (a) The judge of a court in which a condemnation petition is filed or to which an eminent domain case is assigned shall appoint three disinterested freeholders who reside in the county as special commissioners to assess the damages of the owner of the property being condemned. The judge appointing the special commissioners shall give preference to persons agreed on by the parties. If a person fails to serve as a commissioner, the judge may appoint a replacement. (b) The special commissioners shall swear to assess damages fairly, impartially, and according to the law. (c) Special commissioners may compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of testimony, administer oaths, and punish for contempt in the same manner as a county judge. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3499, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.015. HEARING. (a) The special commissioners in an eminent domain proceeding shall promptly schedule a hearing for the parties at the earliest practical time and at a place that is as near as practical to the property being condemned or at the county seat of the county in which the proceeding is being held. (b) After notice of the hearing has been served, the special commissioners shall hear the parties at the scheduled time and place or at any other time or place to which they may adjourn the hearing. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3500, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.016. NOTICE. (a) Each party in an eminent domain proceeding is entitled to written notice issued by the special commissioners informing the party of the time and place of the hearing. (b) Notice of the hearing must be served on a party not later than the 11th day before the day set for the hearing. A person competent to testify may serve the notice. (c) A person who serves a notice shall return the original notice to the special commissioners on or before the day set for hearing. The person shall write a return of service on the notice that states how and when it was served. (d) Notice may be served: (1) by delivering a copy of the notice to the party or to the party's agent or attorney; (2) if the property being condemned belongs to a deceased's estate or to a minor or other legally disabled person and the person or estate has a legal representative, by delivering a copy of the notice to the legal representative; or (3) if the property being condemned belongs to a nonresident of this state and there has been no personal service on the owner, if the identity or the residence of the property owner is unknown, or if the property owner avoids service of notice by hiding, by publication in the same manner as service of citation by publication in other civil cases in the district courts or county courts at law. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3500, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.017. ALTERNATIVE PLEADINGS. (a) This state, a political subdivision of this state, a person, an association of persons, or a corporation that is a party to a suit covered by Section 21.003 of this code by petition, cross-bill, or plea of intervention may assert a claim to the property or, alternatively, seek to condemn the property. (b) A plea under this section is not an admission of an adverse party's title to the property in controversy. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3501, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.018. APPEAL FROM COMMISSIONERS' FINDINGS. (a) A party to a condemnation proceeding may object to the findings of the special commissioners by filing a written statement of the objections and their grounds with the court that has jurisdiction of the proceeding. The statement must be filed on or before the first Monday following the 20th day after the day the commissioners file their findings with the court. (b) If a party files an objection to the findings of the special commissioners, the court shall cite the adverse party and try the case in the same manner as other civil causes. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3501 ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.019. DISMISSAL OF CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS. (a) A party that files a condemnation petition may move to dismiss the proceedings, and the court shall conduct a hearing on the motion. However, after the special commissioners have made an award, in an effort to obtain a lower award a condemnor may not dismiss the condemnation proceedings merely to institute new proceedings that involve substantially the same condemnation against the same property owner. (b) A court that hears and grants a motion to dismiss a condemnation proceeding made by a condemnor under Subsection (a) shall make an allowance to the property owner for reasonable and necessary fees for attorneys, appraisers, and photographers and for the other expenses incurred by the property owner to the date of the hearing. (c) A court that hears and grants a motion to dismiss a condemnation proceeding made by a property owner seeking a judicial denial of the right to condemn or that otherwise renders a judgment denying the right to condemn may make an allowance to the property owner for reasonable and necessary fees for attorneys, appraisers, and photographers and for the other expenses incurred by the property owner to the date of the hearing or judgment. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3501, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 483, § 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987. § 21.0195. DISMISSAL OF CERTAIN CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS; TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. (a) This section applies only to the dismissal of a condemnation proceeding that involves the Texas Department of Transportation. (b) The department may move to dismiss a proceeding it files, and the court shall conduct a hearing on the motion. The court may grant the motion only if the court determines that the property owner's interest will not be materially affected by the dismissal. The department may not dismiss the condemnation proceedings merely to institute new proceedings that involve substantially the same condemnation against the same property owner solely to obtain a lower condemnation award. (c) If a court dismisses a condemnation proceeding on the motion of the department or as a result of the failure of the department to bring the proceeding properly, the court shall make an allowance to the property owner for the value of the department's use of the property while in possession of the property, any damage that the condemnation has caused to the property owner, and any expenses the property owner has incurred in connection with the condemnation, including reasonable and necessary fees for attorneys. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, § 1.46(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997. § 21.020. REINSTATEMENT OF CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS. If a condemnor moves to dismiss a condemnation proceeding and subsequently files a petition to condemn substantially the same property interest from the same property owner, the court may not appoint new special commissioners but shall enter the award of the special commissioners in the first proceeding as the award in the second. The court shall award the property owner triple the amount of the expenses that were allowed the property owner prior to the dismissal of the first proceeding. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3502, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.021. POSSESSION PENDING LITIGATION. (a) After the special commissioners have made an award in a condemnation proceeding, except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section, the condemnor may take possession of the condemned property pending the results of further litigation if the condemnor: (1) pays to the property owner the amount of damages and costs awarded by the special commissioners or deposits that amount of money with the court subject to the order of the property owner; (2) deposits with the court either the amount of money awarded by the special commissioners as damages or a surety bond in the same amount issued by a surety company qualified to do business in this state, conditioned to secure the payment of an award of damages by the court in excess of the award of the special commissioners; and (3) executes a bond that has two or more good and solvent sureties approved by the judge of the court in which the proceeding is pending and conditioned to secure the payment of additional costs that may be awarded to the property owner by the trial court or on appeal. (b) A court shall hold money or a bond deposited under Subdivision (1) or (2) of Subsection (a) to secure the payment of the damages that have been or that may be awarded against the condemnor. (c) This state, a county, or a municipal corporation or an irrigation, water improvement, or water power control district created under legal authority is not required to deposit a bond or the amount equal to the award of damages under Subdivisions (2) and (3) of Subsection (a). (d) If a condemnor deposits money with a court under Subdivision (2) of Subsection (a), the condemnor may instruct the court to deposit or invest the money in any account with or certificate or security issued by a state or national bank in this state. The court shall pay the interest that accrues from the deposit or investment to the condemnor. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3502, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1984, 68th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 18, § 1(b), eff. Oct. 2, 1984. § 21.0211. PAYMENT OF AD VALOREM TAXES. (a) A court may not authorize withdrawal of any money deposited under Section 21.021 unless the petitioner for the money files with the court: (1) a tax certificate issued under Section 31.08, Tax Code, by the tax collector for each taxing unit that imposes ad valorem taxes on the condemned property showing that there are no delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, or costs owing on the condemned property or on any larger tract of which the condemned property forms a part; and (2) in the case of a whole taking that occurs after the date the ad valorem tax bill for taxes imposed by a taxing unit on the property is sent, a tax receipt issued under Section 31.075, Tax Code, by the tax collector of the taxing unit that imposes ad valorem taxes showing that the taxes on the condemned property for the current tax year, prorated under Section 26.11, Tax Code, have been paid. (b) For purposes of Subsection (a)(2), a "case of a whole taking" means a case in which the location, size, and boundaries of the property assessed for ad valorem taxes are identical to that of the condemned property. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1126, § 27, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 21.022. AUTHORITY OF COURTS. Laws that formerly governed the performance of functions by county clerks and judges in eminent domain proceedings are applicable to the clerks and judges of district courts and county courts at law. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3503, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.023. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF ACQUISITION. A governmental entity shall disclose in writing to the property owner, at the time of acquisition of the property through eminent domain, that: (1) the owner or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns are entitled to repurchase the property if the public use for which the property was acquired through eminent domain is canceled before the 10th anniversary of the date of acquisition; and (2) the repurchase price is the fair market value of the property at the time the public use was canceled. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1307, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
SUBCHAPTER C. DAMAGES AND COSTS
§ 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. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3504, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.042. ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES. (a) The special commissioners shall assess damages in a condemnation proceeding according to the evidence presented at the hearing. (b) If an entire tract or parcel of real property is condemned, the damage to the property owner is the local market value of the property at the time of the special commissioners' hearing. (c) If a portion of a tract or parcel of real property 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, including the effect of the condemnation on the value of the property owner's remaining property. (d) In estimating injury or benefit under Subsection (c), the special commissioners shall consider an injury or benefit that is peculiar to the property owner and that relates to the property owner's ownership, use, or enjoyment of the particular parcel of real property, but they may not consider an injury or benefit that the property owner experiences in common with the general community. (e) If a portion of a tract or parcel of real property is condemned for the use, construction, operation, or maintenance of the state highway system or of a county toll project described by Chapter 284, Transportation Code, that is eligible for designation as part of the state highway system, or for the use, construction, development, operation, or maintenance of an improvement or project by a metropolitan rapid transit authority created before January 1, 1980, with a principal municipality having a population of less than 1.9 million and established under Chapter 451, Transportation Code, the special commissioners shall determine the damage to the property owner regardless of whether the property owner makes a claim for damages to the remaining property. In awarding compensation or assessing the damages, the special commissioners shall consider any special and direct benefits that arise from the highway improvement or the transit authority improvement or project that are peculiar to the property owner and that relate to the property owner's ownership, use, or enjoyment of the particular parcel of remaining real property. (f) In awarding compensation or assessing damages for a condemnation by an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, the special commissioners may not include in the compensation or damages any amount that compensates for, or is based on the present value of, an exemption from ad valorem taxation applicable to the property before its condemnation. (g) Notwithstanding Subsection (d), if a portion of a tract or parcel of real property that, for the then current tax year was appraised for ad valorem tax purposes under a law enacted under Section 1-d or 1-d-1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, and is outside the municipal limits or the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality with a population of 5,000 or more is condemned for state highway purposes, the special commissioners shall consider the loss of reasonable access to or from the remaining property in determining the damage to the property owner. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3504, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1984, 68th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 29, § 1, eff. Oct. 2, 1984; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 734, § 5, eff. June 15, 1989; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.244, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 669, § 117, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1266, § 1.15, eff. June 20, 2003; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 281, § 2.94, eff. June 14, 2005. § 21.0421. ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES: GROUNDWATER RIGHTS. (a) In a condemnation proceeding initiated by a political subdivision under this chapter, the special commissioners or court shall admit evidence relating to the market value of groundwater rights as property apart from the land in addition to the local market value of the real property if: (1) the political subdivision proposes to condemn the fee title of real property; and (2) the special commissioners or court finds, based on evidence submitted at the hearing, that the real property may be used by the political subdivision to develop or use the rights to groundwater for a public purpose. (b) The evidence submitted under Subsection (a) on the market value of the groundwater rights as property apart from the land shall be based on generally accepted appraisal methods and techniques, including the methods of appraisal under Subchapter A, Chapter 23, Tax Code. (c) If the special commissioners or court finds that the real property may be used by the political subdivision to develop or use the rights to groundwater for a public purpose, the special commissioners or court may assess damages to the property owner based on: (1) the local market value of the real property, excluding the value of the groundwater in place, at the time of the hearing; and (2) the market value of the groundwater rights as property apart from the land at the time of the hearing. (d) In assessing damages based on the market value of groundwater rights under Subsection (c)(2), the special commissioners or court shall consider: (1) the amount of groundwater the political subdivision can reasonably be expected to produce from the property on an annual basis; (2) the number of years the political subdivision can reasonably be expected to produce groundwater from the property; (3) the quality of the groundwater; (4) the location of the real property in relation to the political subdivision for conveyance purposes; (5) any potential environmental impact of producing groundwater from the real property; (6) whether or not the real property is located within the boundaries of a political subdivision that can regulate the production of groundwater from the real property; (7) the cost of alternative water supplies to the political subdivision; and (8) any other reasonable factor that affects the market value of a groundwater right. (e) This section does not: (1) authorize groundwater rights appraised separately from the real property under this section to be appraised separately from real property for property tax appraisal purposes; or (2) subject real property condemned for the purpose described by Subsection (a) to an additional tax as provided by Section 23.46 or 23.55, Tax Code. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1032, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 21.043. DISPLACEMENT FROM DWELLING OR PLACE OF BUSINESS. (a) A property owner who is permanently physically displaced from the property owner's dwelling or place of business and who is not entitled to reimbursement for moving expenses under another law may recover, in addition to the property owner's other damages, the reasonable expenses of moving the property owner's personal property from the dwelling or place of business. (b) A recovery under this section may not exceed the market value of the property being moved. The maximum distance of movement to be considered is 50 miles. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3504, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.044. DAMAGES FROM TEMPORARY POSSESSION. (a) If a court finally determines that a condemnor who has taken possession of property pending litigation did not have the right to condemn the property, the court may award to the property owner the damages that resulted from the temporary possession. (b) The court may order the payment of damages awarded under this section from the award or other money deposited with the court. However, if the award paid to or appropriated by the property owner exceeds the court's final determination of the value of the property, the court shall order the property owner to return the excess to the condemnor. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3505, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.045. TITLE ACQUIRED. Except where otherwise expressly provided by law, the interest acquired by a condemnor under this chapter does not include the fee simple title to real property, either public or private. An interest acquired by a condemnor is not lost by the forfeiture or expiration of the condemnor's charter and is subject to an extension of the charter or the grant of a new charter without a new condemnation. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3505, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.046. RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) A department, agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of this state may provide a relocation advisory service for an individual, a family, a business concern, a farming or ranching operation, or a nonprofit organization if the service is compatible with the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance Advisory Program, 23 U.S.C.A. 501, et seq. (b) This state or a political subdivision of this state may, as a cost of acquiring real property, pay moving expenses and rental supplements, make relocation payments, provide financial assistance to acquire replacement housing, and compensate for expenses incidental to the transfer of the property if an individual, a family, the personal property of a business, a farming or ranching operation, or a nonprofit organization is displaced in connection with the acquisition. (c) A department, agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of this state that initiates a program under Subsection (b) shall adopt rules relating to the administration of the program. (d) Neither this state nor a political subdivision of this state may authorize expenditures under Subsection (b) that exceed payments authorized under the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, 42 U.S.C.A. 4601, et seq. (e) If a person moves or discontinues the person's business, moves personal property, or moves from the person's dwelling as a direct result of code enforcement, rehabilitation, or a demolition program, the person is considered to be displaced because of the acquisition of real property. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3505, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.047. ASSESSMENT OF COSTS. (a) Special commissioners may adjudge the costs of an eminent domain proceeding against any party. If the commissioners award greater damages than the condemnor offered to pay before the proceedings began or if the decision of the commissioners is appealed and a court awards greater damages than the commissioners awarded, the condemnor shall pay all costs. If the commissioners' award or the court's determination of the damages is less than or equal to the amount the condemnor offered before proceedings began, the property owner shall pay the costs. (b) A condemnor shall pay the initial cost of serving a property owner with notice of a condemnation proceeding. If the property owner is ordered to pay the costs of the proceeding, the condemnor may recover the expense of notice from the property owner as part of the costs. (c) A court that has jurisdiction of an eminent domain proceeding may tax $10 or more as a reasonable fee for each special commissioner as part of the court costs of the proceeding. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3506, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.048. STATEMENT OF DAMAGES AND COSTS. After the special commissioners in an eminent domain proceeding have assessed the damages, they shall: (1) make a written statement of their decision stating the damages, date it, sign it, and file it and all other papers connected with the proceeding with the court on the day the decision is made or on the next working day after the day the decision is made; and (2) make and sign a written statement of the accrued costs of the proceeding, naming the party against whom the costs are adjudged, and file the statement with the court. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3507, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1984, 68th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 18, § 1(c), eff. Oct. 2, 1984. § 21.049. NOTICE OF DECISION OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS. The judge of a court hearing a proceeding under this chapter shall inform the clerk of the court as to a decision by the special commissioners on the day the decision is filed or on the next working day after the day the decision is filed. Not later than the next working day after the day the decision is filed, the clerk shall send notice of the decision by certified or registered United States mail, return receipt requested, to the parties in the proceeding, or to their attorneys of record, at their addresses of record. Added by Acts 1984, 68th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 18, § 1(d), eff. Oct. 2, 1984.
SUBCHAPTER D. JUDGMENT
§ 21.061. JUDGMENT ON COMMISSIONERS' FINDINGS. If no party in a condemnation proceeding files timely objections to the findings of the special commissioners, the judge of the court that has jurisdiction of the proceeding shall adopt the commissioners' findings as the judgment of the court, record the judgment in the minutes of the court, and issue the process necessary to enforce the judgment. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3507, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.062. WRIT OF POSSESSION. If a condemnor in a condemnation proceeding has taken possession of property pending litigation and the court finally decides that the condemnor does not have the right to condemn the property, the court shall order the condemnor to surrender possession of the property and issue a writ of possession to the property owner. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3507, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.063. APPEAL. (a) The appeal of a judgment in a condemnation proceeding is as in other civil cases. (b) A court hearing an appeal from the decision of a trial court in a condemnation proceeding may not suspend the judgment of the trial court pending the appeal. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3507, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.064. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. (a) A court hearing a suit covered by Section 21.003 of this code may grant injunctive relief under the rules of equity. (b) Instead of granting an injunction under this section, a court may require a condemnor to provide security adequate to compensate the property owner for damages that might result from the condemnation. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3508, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. § 21.065. VESTED INTEREST. A judgment of a court under this chapter vests a right granted to a condemnor. Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3508, ch. 576, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
SUBCHAPTER E. REPURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY FROM GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY
§ 21.101. APPLICABILITY. (a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), this subchapter applies only to a real property interest acquired by a governmental entity through eminent domain for a public use that was canceled before the 10th anniversary of the date of acquisition. (b) This subchapter does not apply to a right-of-way under the jurisdiction of: (1) a county; (2) a municipality; or (3) the Texas Department of Transportation. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1307, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2004. § 21.102. NOTICE TO PREVIOUS PROPERTY OWNER AT TIME OF CANCELLATION OF PUBLIC USE. Not later than the 180th day after the date of the cancellation of the public use for which real property was acquired through eminent domain from a property owner under Subchapter B, the governmental entity shall send by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the property owner or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns a notice containing: (1) an identification, which is not required to be a legal description, of the property that was acquired; (2) an identification of the public use for which the property had been acquired and a statement that the public use has been canceled; and (3) a description of the person's right under this subchapter to repurchase the property. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1307, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2004. § 21.103. RESALE OF PROPERTY; PRICE. (a) Not later than the 180th day after the date of the postmark on the notice sent under Section 21.102, the property owner or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns must notify the governmental entity of the person's intent to repurchase the property interest under this subchapter. (b) As soon as practicable after receipt of the notification under Subsection (a), the governmental entity shall offer to sell the property interest to the person for the fair market value of the property at the time the public use was canceled. The person's right to repurchase the property expires on the 90th day after the date on which the governmental entity makes the offer. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1307, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.

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