Sec. 8815.117. EMINENT DOMAIN. (a) The authority may acquire by condemnation any land, easements, or other property inside the authority's boundaries to further authorized purposes, powers, or duties of the authority. The authority may acquire by condemnation any land, easements, or other property outside the authority's boundaries for the purpose of pumping, storing, treating, or transporting water. When exercising the power of eminent domain granted by this section, the authority may elect to condemn either the fee simple title or a lesser property interest.

(b) The authority shall exercise the right of eminent domain in the manner provided by Chapter 21, Property Code. The authority is not required to give bond for appeal or bond for costs in a condemnation suit or other suit to which it is a party. The authority is not required to deposit more than the amount of an award in a suit.

(c) The authority may not use the power of eminent domain for the condemnation of land for the purpose of acquiring rights to groundwater or for the purpose of acquiring water or water rights.

(d) The authority may not use the power of eminent domain for the condemnation of property that is:

(1) owned by the City of Houston or any instrumentality of the City of Houston, including a local government corporation created under Chapter 431, Transportation Code, to aid or act on behalf of the City of Houston; or

(2) located within the municipal limits of the City of Houston.

(e) Notwithstanding Subsection (d)(2), and as limited by Subsection (a), the authority may use the power of eminent domain to acquire property that is not owned by the City of Houston that is within the municipal limits of the City of Houston if:

(1) the property is located in an area of the municipality that is less than 1,000 feet wide at its narrowest point; or

(2) the municipality grants permission for the condemnation.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 656 (H.B. 3181), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.