House Bill No. [insert bill number] amends R.S. 19:12 to change the responsibility for court costs in expropriation proceedings. The bill deletes the provision that allowed a court to order property owners to pay all or a portion of the costs if the highest compensation offered before the expropriation suit was equal to or greater than the final award. Instead, the proposed law mandates that all court costs incurred during the expropriation process be paid by the expropriating authority.

This change aims to relieve property owners of the financial burden associated with court costs in expropriation cases, ensuring that the expropriating authority is responsible for these expenses. The bill reflects a shift in policy to protect property owners' interests during expropriation proceedings.

Statutes affected:
HB449 Original: