Honorable Joe Deshotel, Chair, House Committee on Land & Resource Management
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2730 by Deshotel (Relating to the acquisition of real property by an entity with eminent domain authority.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code, Occupations Code, and Property Code relating to the acquisition of real property by an entity with an eminent domain authority. Provisions include the specification of the text of a landowner's bill of rights to be published by the Office of the Attorney General, the creation of an ombudsman's office by the Real Estate Commission, and the requirement of certain terms in an instrument of conveyance of easement.
Based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Real Estate Commission, the costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
According to Harris County, the bill's requirement that terms be added to conveyance documents could create a negative fiscal impact due to compliance challenges with respect to each acquisition differing and the circumstances needing evaluation on a case by case basis. Additionally, the requirements concerning extra meeting notices will pose additional costs for personnel, estimated at $75,000 to $150,000 per year.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 329 Real Estate Commission