Eminent Domain Reporting Period Begins

In 2015, the Legislature passed SB 1812, an eminent domain transparency bill that requires counties to annually report specific information to the Texas Comptroller for posting. The next annual reporting period for this information begins on Nov. 1, 2018. Counties that submitted a report last year will be able to log back in and submit an updated report for the new reporting period.
The following information about the reporting requirements and how to comply is provided by the Comptroller’s office.

Process

In accordance with the legislation, the Comptroller's office developed an electronic reporting form to enable entities or their third-party representatives to submit the required information.

Entities will use the reporting form to submit an updated report to the Comptroller's office by Feb. 1 of each year. The annual reporting period is from Nov. 1 to Feb. 1, but reports may also be updated at any time throughout the year.

Log into the Comptroller’s eSystems website now to file or update your report in compliance with SB 1812. Once logged in, click on "Eminent Domain Report" under "Reporting" to begin the submission process.

Reporting Form: Additional Details

SB 1812 requires the Comptroller's office to collect and post the following information online:

1. The entity's full legal name;
2. The entity's address and public contact information;
3. The name and contact information of the appropriate officer, or other person, representing the entity;
4. The type of entity;
5. The legal provision(s) granting the entity's eminent domain authority;
6. The focus or scope of the eminent domain authority granted to the entity;
7. The earliest date the entity had authority to exercise the power of eminent domain;
8. The entity's taxpayer identification number, if any;
9. Whether the entity exercised its eminent domain authority in the preceding calendar year by filing a condemnation petition under Section 21.012, Property Code; and
10. The entity's internet website address or, if the entity does not operate an internet website, contact information to enable the public to obtain information from the entity.

The reporting form features standardized choices. For example, the focus or scope of an entity's eminent domain authority in item six includes choices such as water infrastructure and electric utilities. The legal provisions in item five are available to select by code and section.

Download the Comptroller’s list of provisions (PDF) that are available in the online form to plan for item five before starting the submission process.

Please note that this is a list of commonly cited provisions pursuant to SB 18, the previous eminent domain bill that was passed in 2011, and it may not represent all provisions regarding eminent domain authority. Options to enter other provisions not listed in this document are available in the reporting form.

For questions regarding SB 1812, please email the Comptroller’s office or call Ty Myrick, transparency analyst with the Comptroller’s office, at (512) 463-4581. Additional information is available on the Comptroller’s website.