H.B. No. 2536
AN ACT
relating to jurisdiction in an eminent domain proceeding in Harris
County.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 25.1032, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
follows:
(c) A county civil court at law has exclusive jurisdiction
in Harris County of eminent domain proceedings, both statutory and
inverse, if the amount in controversy in a statutory proceeding
does not exceed the amount provided by Section 25.0003(c) in civil
cases. Notwithstanding Section 21.013, Property Code, a party
initiating a condemnation proceeding in Harris County may file a
petition with the district clerk when the amount in controversy
exceeds the amount provided by Section 25.0003(c). The amount in
controversy is the amount of the bona fide offer made by the entity
with eminent domain authority to acquire the property from the
property owner voluntarily [regardless of the amount in
controversy].
(d) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a
county civil court at law has jurisdiction to:
(1) decide the issue of title to real or personal
property;
(2) hear a suit to recover damages for slander or
defamation of character;
(3) hear a suit for the enforcement of a lien on real
property;
(4) hear a suit for the forfeiture of a corporate
charter;
(5) hear a suit for the trial of the right to property
valued at $200 or more that has been levied on under a writ of
execution, sequestration, or attachment; and
(6) hear a suit for the recovery of real property.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an eminent domain proceeding for which a petition is filed on or
after the effective date of this Act. An eminent domain proceeding
for which a petition is filed before the effective date of this Act
is governed by the law in effect immediately before that date, and
that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2536 was passed by the House on April
30, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 132, Nays 7, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2536 was passed by the Senate on May
19, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor