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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring government entities to inform landowners of |
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their right to seek counsel in 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 21.0111(a), Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) A governmental entity with eminent domain authority |
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that wants to acquire real property for a public use: |
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(1) shall disclose to the property owner at the time an |
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offer to purchase is made any and all existing appraisal reports |
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produced or acquired by the governmental entity relating |
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specifically to the owner's property and used in determining the |
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final valuation offer; |
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(2) shall inform the property owner at the time an |
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offer to purchase is made that the property owner may seek legal |
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counsel; |
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(3) shall provide to the property owner at the time an |
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offer to purchase is made an estimate of the costs of legal |
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services; and |
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(4) may not advise the property owner that the |
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property owner does not need to seek legal counsel. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2007. |