By Hilbert                                            H.B. No. 1186
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the fair administration of a condemnation proceeding;
 1-3     and declaring an emergency.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subsection (c), is added to Section 21.015,
 1-6     Property Code, and reads as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 21.015.  HEARING.  (c)  The evidentiary hearing before
 1-8     the special commissioners shall commence no later than the 90th day
 1-9     after the condemnation petition is filed with the appropriate
1-10     court.  In the event the special commissioners' hearing has not
1-11     commenced on or before the 90th day, the court shall dismiss the
1-12     condemnation proceeding unless the condemnor can prove to the court
1-13     that it has diligently prosecuted the condemnation proceeding and
1-14     that the delay in the commencement of the special commissioners'
1-15     hearing is not substantially attributable to it, or a longer period
1-16     of time has been agreed to between the parties.