Sec. 42.225. PROPERTY OWNER'S RIGHT TO APPEAL THROUGH ARBITRATION. (a) On motion by a property owner who appeals an appraisal review board order under this chapter, the court shall submit the appeal to nonbinding arbitration. The court shall order the nonbinding arbitration to be conducted in accordance with Chapter 154, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. If the appeal proceeds to trial following an arbitration award or finding under this subsection, either party may introduce the award or finding into evidence. In addition, the court shall award the property owner reasonable attorney fees if the trial was not requested by the property owner and the determination of the appeal results in an appraised value for the owner's property that is equal to or less than the appraised value under the arbitration award or finding. However, the amount of an award of attorney fees under this subsection is subject to the same limitations as those provided by Section 42.29.

(b) On motion by the property owner, the court shall order the parties to an appeal of an appraisal review board order under this chapter to submit to binding arbitration if the appraisal district joins in the motion or consents to the arbitration. A binding arbitration award under this subsection is binding and enforceable in the same manner as a contract obligation.

(c) The court shall appoint an impartial third party to conduct an arbitration under this section. The impartial third party is appointed by the court and serves as provided by Subchapter C, Chapter 154, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

(d) Each party or counsel for the party may present the position of the party before the impartial third party, who must render a specific arbitration award.

(e) Prior to submission of a case to arbitration the court shall determine matters related to jurisdiction, venue, and interpretation of the law.

(f) Except as provided in this section, an arbitration award may include any remedy or relief that a court could order under this chapter.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 412, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 1031, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.