Opinion ID: 3008277
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Procedure for Takings

Text: Article I, section 17 of the Texas Constitution requires that condemned property be taken for a public use and be justly compensated: “No person’s property shall be taken, damaged or destroyed for or applied to public use without adequate compensation being made, unless by consent of such person . . . .” TEX . CONST . art. I, § 17. The Local Government Code imposes an additional restriction on municipal takings. Section 251.001 of the Local Government Code adds that the condemnor must consider the taking necessary for public use: “When the governing body of a municipality considers it necessary, the municipality may exercise the right of eminent domain for a public purpose to acquire public or private property . . . for any other municipal purpose the governing body considers advisable.” TEX . LOC. GOV ’T CODE § 251.001(a). In short, these provisions require the municipality to demonstrate: (1) it intends to put the property to public use (the public use requirement); and (2) the condemnation is necessary to advance or achieve that public use (the necessity requirement). 2 Procedurally, the condemnor typically negotiates with the landowner to purchase the property. See Hubenak v. San Jacinto Gas Transmission Co., 141 S.W.3d 172, 179 (Tex. 2004); TEX . PROP . CODE §§ 21.0112(a), 21.012(a). If they are unable to agree on damages, the condemnor files a condemnation petition in county or district court. TEX . PROP. CODE §§ 21.001, 21.012, 21.013; Hubenak, 141 S.W.3d at 179. The petition must, among other things, describe the property to be condemned and the purpose for which the condemnor intends to use the property. TEX . PROP . CODE § 21.012(b). The judge of the court then appoints “‘three disinterested freeholders who reside in the county as special commissioners to assess the damages.’” Hubenak, 141 S.W.3d at 179 (quoting TEX . PROP . CODE § 21.014). The special commissioners hold a hearing to assess the value of the property to be condemned (and any damage to the remainder). TEX . PROP . CODE §§ 21.014–.015; Hubenak, 141 S.W.3d at 179. If any party files written objections to the special commissioners’ findings with the court, “‘the court shall cite the adverse party and try the case in the same manner as other civil causes.’” Hubenak, 141 S.W.3d at 179 (quoting TEX . PROP . CODE § 21.018). During that litigation, the condemnor may take possession of the condemned property by paying the damages determined by the special commissioners and executing a bond approved by the court to secure payment of potential additional costs that could be awarded at trial or on appeal. TEX . PROP . CODE § 21.021(a).