88R3531 SHH-D By: King of Hemphill H.B. No. 2284 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the right to repurchase certain real property from a condemning entity after a change to the use of the property. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 21.101(a), Property Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A person from whom a real property interest is acquired by an entity through eminent domain for a public use, or that person's heirs, successors, or assigns, is entitled to repurchase the property as provided by this subchapter if: (1) the public use for which the property was acquired through eminent domain is canceled before the property is used for that public use; (2) no actual progress is made toward the public use for which the property was acquired between the date of acquisition and the 10th anniversary of that date; [or] (3) the property becomes unnecessary for the public use for which the property was acquired, or a substantially similar public use, before the 10th anniversary of the date of acquisition; or (4) the use of the property is changed from the public use for which the property was initially acquired to any other use during the lifetime of: (A) the person from whom the property was acquired; or (B) a person who is related within three generations by blood, marriage, or adoption to the person from whom the property was acquired. SECTION 2. Section 21.102, Property Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 21.102. NOTICE TO PREVIOUS PROPERTY OWNER REQUIRED. Not later than the 180th day after the date an entity that acquired a real property interest through eminent domain determines that the former property owner, or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns, is or may be entitled to repurchase the property under Section 21.101, the entity shall send by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the property owner or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns a notice containing: (1) an identification, which is not required to be a legal description, of the property that was acquired; (2) an identification of the public use for which the property had been acquired and a statement that: (A) the public use was canceled before the property was used for the public use; (B) no actual progress was made toward the public use; [or] (C) the property became unnecessary for the public use, or a substantially similar public use, before the 10th anniversary of the date of acquisition; or (D) the use of the property was changed from the public use for which the property was initially acquired to any other use; and (3) a description of the person's right under this subchapter to repurchase the property. SECTION 3. Section 21.1021(a), Property Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) On or after the 10th anniversary of the date on which real property was acquired by an entity through eminent domain, a property owner or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns may request that the condemning entity make a determination and provide a statement and other relevant information regarding: (1) whether the public use for which the property was acquired was canceled before the property was used for the public use; (2) whether any actual progress was made toward the public use between the date of acquisition and the 10th anniversary of that date, including an itemized description of the progress made, if applicable; [and] (3) whether the property became unnecessary for the public use, or a substantially similar public use, before the 10th anniversary of the date of acquisition; and (4) whether, between the date of acquisition and the date of the request, the use of the property was changed from the public use for which the property was acquired to any other use. SECTION 4. Section 21.103(a), Property Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Not later than the 180th day after the date of the postmark on a notice sent under Section 21.102 or a response to a request made under Section 21.1021 that indicates that the property owner, or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns, is or may be entitled to repurchase the property interest in accordance with Section 21.101, the property owner or the owner's heirs, successors, or assigns must notify the entity of the person's intent to repurchase the property interest under this subchapter. SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a real property interest acquired in connection with a condemnation proceeding in which the petition is filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A real property interest acquired in connection with a condemnation proceeding in which the 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 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.