By: Jones of Harris H.B. No. 4760
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the state's ability to exercise eminent domain on
  private property.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sec. 21.0113, Property Code, is amended to be
  read as follows:
         BONA FIDE OFFER REQUIRED. (a) An entity with eminent domain
  authority that wants to acquire real property for a public use must
  make a bona fide offer to acquire the property from the property
  owner voluntarily.
         (b)  An entity with eminent domain authority has made a bona
  fide offer if:
               (1)  an initial offer is made in writing to a property
  owner that includes:
                     (A)  a copy of the landowner's bill of rights
  statement prescribed by Section 402.031, Government Code,
  including the addendum prescribed by Section 402.031(c-1),
  Government Code, if applicable;
                     (B)  a statement, in bold print and a larger font
  than the other portions of the offer, indicating whether the
  compensation being offered includes:
                           (i)  damages to the remainder, if any, of the
  property owner's remaining property; or
                           (ii)  an replacement value appraisal of the
  property, including damages to the remainder, if any, prepared by a
  certified appraiser certified to practice as a certified general
  appraiser under Chapter 1103, Occupations Code;
                           (iii)  an appraisal of the expected moving
  expenses;
                     (C)  an instrument of conveyance, provided that if
  the entity is a private entity as defined by Section 21.0114(a), the
  instrument must comply with Section 21.0114, as applicable, unless:
                           (i)  the entity has previously provided an
  instrument complying with Section 21.0114;
                           (ii)  the property owner desires to use an
  instrument different than one complying with Section 21.0114 and
  consents in writing to use a different instrument; or
                           (iii)  the property owner provided the
  entity with the instrument prior to the issuance of the initial
  offer; and
                     (D)  the name and telephone number of a
  representative of the entity who is:
                           (i)  an employee of the entity;
                           (ii)  an employee of an affiliate providing
  services on behalf of the entity;
                           (iii)  a legal representative of the entity;
  or
                           (iv)  if the entity does not have employees,
  an individual designated to represent the day-to-day operations of
  the entity;
               (2)  a final offer is made in writing to the property
  owner;
               (3)  the final offer is made on or after the 30th day
  after the date on which the entity makes a written initial offer to
  the property owner;
               (4)  before making a final offer, the entity obtains a
  written replacement value appraisal from a certified appraiser of
  the value of the property being acquired and the damages, if any, to
  any of the property owner's remaining property;
               (5)  the final offer is equal to or greater than the
  amount of the written replacement value appraisal and expected
  moving expenses appraisal obtained by the entity;
               (6)  the following items are included with the final
  offer or have been previously provided to the owner by the entity:
                     (A)  a copy of the written replacement value
  appraisal;
                     (B)  a copy of the written expected moving
  expenses appraisal;
                     (B)(C)  a copy of the deed, easement, or other
  instrument conveying the property sought to be acquired; and
                     (C)(D)  the landowner's bill of rights statement
  prescribed by Section 21.0112; and
               (7)  the entity provides the property owner with at
  least 14 days to respond to the final offer and the property owner
  does not agree to the terms of the final offer within that period.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Property Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection 126:
         (a)  A property owner whom the state executes eminent domain
  to acquire the property from voluntarily has the right to first
  refusal on partial acquisitions of the property. 
         (b)  A property owner whom the state executed eminent domain
  and acquired a property from has the right to a first refusal to any
  offers for private ownership of the property from the state.