S.B. No. 291 amends Section 21.0111(a) of the Property Code to enhance the disclosure requirements for entities with eminent domain authority when acquiring real property. The bill mandates that these entities must disclose any appraisal reports related to the property owner’s property, which were produced or acquired in the ten years preceding the offer, at the time an offer to purchase or lease is made. Additionally, if an entity fails to comply with this disclosure requirement, it will be liable for the reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the property owner to obtain the necessary disclosure.

The changes introduced by this bill will only apply to acquisitions of real property in connection with initial offers made on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Any acquisitions related to offers made before this date will continue to be governed by the existing law prior to the enactment of this bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Property Code 21.0111 (Property Code 21)
Senate Committee Report: Property Code 21.0111 (Property Code 21)
Engrossed: Property Code 21.0111 (Property Code 21)
House Committee Report: Property Code 21.0111 (Property Code 21)