88R32 BEE-D     By: Rogers, Bell of Kaufman, Bailes, H.B. No. 376       Bell of Montgomery       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a landowner's bill of rights statement in connection   with the acquisition of real property through eminent domain.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 402.031(b) and (c), Government Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (b)  The landowner's bill of rights must notify each property   owner that the property owner has the right to:                (1)  notice of the proposed acquisition of the owner's   property;                (2)  a bona fide good faith effort to negotiate by the   entity proposing to acquire the property;                (3)  an assessment of damages to the owner that will   result from the taking of the property;                (4)  a hearing under Chapter 21, Property Code,   including a hearing on the assessment of damages;                (5)  an appeal of a judgment in a condemnation   proceeding, including an appeal of an assessment of damages; [and]                (6)  file a written complaint with the Texas Real   Estate Commission under Section 1101.205, Occupations Code,   regarding alleged misconduct by a registered easement or   right-of-way agent acting on behalf of the entity exercising   eminent domain authority; and                (7)  submit to the appraisal district office in the   county in which the property is taxable a report of decreased value   for the owner's remaining property after the taking.          (c)  The statement must include:                (1)  the title, "Landowner's Bill of Rights"; [and]                (2)  a description of:                      (A)  the condemnation procedure provided by   Chapter 21, Property Code;                      (B)  the condemning entity's obligations to the   property owner; and                      (C)  the property owner's options during a   condemnation, including the property owner's right to object to and   appeal an amount of damages awarded; and                (3)  a copy of the report of decreased value form issued   by the comptroller.          SECTION 2.  The office of the attorney general shall make the   landowner's bill of rights statement required by Section 402.031,   Government Code, as amended by this Act, available on the attorney   general's Internet website not later than January 1, 2024.          SECTION 3.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this   section, this Act takes effect January 1, 2024.          (b)  Section 2 of this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.