Section 27: Acquisition of TxDOT Employee’s Property (for State and LPA)
Anchor: #i1005411Procedures
When property owned by TxDOT employees or officials is required for right of way, standard procedures are followed in appraising, securing approved values, and offering to negotiate. However, to prevent unjust accusation of collusion, it is desired that such employees and officials voluntarily refuse to negotiate. Thereby, proper compensation will be determined through ED proceedings, as set forth in Minute Order No. 43775.
This is in no way an attempt to take away a person's constitutional right to sell his or her property, if he or she so chooses, and it establishes no hard and fast rule. It is simply intended that TxDOT personnel be aware of the Commission's views, and that both the individual and those responsible for the review of right of way values have prior notice that the Commission, as well as the administration, would prefer such property be acquired through ED proceedings.
There will be no sanction imposed on the individual, if, after having knowledge of the foregoing interpretation of Minute Order No. 43775, he or she elects to sell his or her property and, after the review, all is found in order. The minute order was designed to discourage anyone within TxDOT from speculating on right of way.