§ 19:352 — Authority to expropriate and acquisition of property for sewer, drainage, or road projects prior to judgment

A. When the governing authority cannot amicably acquire property needed for sewer, drainage, or road projects, the parish may acquire the same by expropriation and may acquire the property prior to judgment in the trial court fixing the amount of compensation due to the owner of the property. If the owners are known and can be located, the governing authority must engage in good faith negotiations with the owner or owners of the subject property to acquire the property by conventional agreement, and it must make at least one written offer to purchase the property for a specific price. Thereafter, if the governing authority concludes that it cannot amicably acquire the subject property, it must, at least thirty days prior to filing a petition, notify the owner or owners by certified mail, return receipt requested, of its intention to expropriate the property pursuant to this Part. If the notice is returned unclaimed, the governing authority shall mail the letter of notification by regular mail and wait thirty days from the date of mailing prior to filing suit. The letter of notification must also inform the owner that if, within thirty days after being served with the notice of suit, he does not object to the taking on the ground that it is not for a public purpose, then he will waive all defenses to the taking except claims for compensation or damages. A copy of this Part must be enclosed with the letter of notification.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, such expropriation by the governing authority shall be conducted in the manner that the Department of Transportation and Development may expropriate property for highway purposes, as set forth in R.S. 48:441 through 460.

Legislative History

Acts 2006, No. 542, §1, eff. June 22, 2006; Acts 2010, No. 198, §1, eff. June 9, 2010.