By: Kolkhorst, et al.  S.B. No. 474
         (In the Senate - Filed February 6, 2015; February 10, 2015,
  read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
  March 31, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 2; March 31, 2015,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 474 By:  Creighton
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the recovery of costs and fees in connection with
  certain eminent domain proceedings.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 21.047, Property Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  If the amount of damages awarded by the special
  commissioners is at least 20 percent greater than the amount the
  condemnor offered to pay before the proceedings began or if the
  commissioners' award is appealed and a court awards damages in an
  amount that is at least 20 percent greater than the amount the
  condemnor offered to pay before the proceedings began, the
  condemnor shall pay:
               (1)  all costs as provided by Subsection (a); and
               (2)  any reasonable attorney's fees and other
  professional fees incurred by the property owner in connection with
  the eminent domain proceeding.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an eminent domain proceeding commenced on or after the effective
  date of this Act. An eminent domain proceeding commenced before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the
  proceeding immediately before the effective date of this Act, and
  that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
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