§3191.1. Thirty-year prescription; return of expropriated residential property

A. If residential property expropriated by the state or a political subdivision of the state remains in the possession of and is maintained by the original owner or his heir for a period of more than thirty years, the expropriated property shall be transferred back to the original owner or his heir upon payment of the fair market value of the property.

B. Upon expiration of the thirty-year period as provided by Subsection A of this Section, the original owner or his heir may tender payment of the fair market value of the property and deliver an act of transfer of ownership to the state or political subdivision of the state that expropriated the residential property. Within thirty days of receipt of the act of transfer of ownership and payment of the fair market value of the property, the state or political subdivision of the state that expropriated the residential property shall execute and return the act of transfer of ownership without additional cost to the original owner or his heir.

C. The state or political subdivision of the state that expropriated the residential property may oppose the act of transfer of ownership by filing an action for injunction within thirty days of receipt of the tendered payment and the act of transfer of ownership in the district court where the property is located.

(1) If the court finds that the original owner or his heir failed to tender fair market value of the property, retain possession of the property, or maintain the property for the requisite thirty-year period, the court shall grant the injunction and the state or political subdivision of the state shall not be required to execute the act of transfer of ownership.

(2) If the court finds that the original owner or his heir tendered the fair market value of the property, retained possession of the property, and maintained the property for the requisite thirty-year period, the court shall order the state or political subdivision of the state to execute the act of transfer of ownership and shall award court costs and attorney fees to the original owner or his heir.

D.(1) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to property expropriated for construction, operation, or maintenance of levees, levee systems, flood control, drainage, hurricane or storm surge protection, or integrated coastal protection.

(2) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to property expropriated by the Department of Transportation and Development.

Acts 2012, No. 445, §1.