The Texas Constitution permits the acquisition of private property for public use, but it requires that any such acquisition entitles the owner to adequate compensation. The Legislature has prescribed the judicial procedure to be followed when private property is acquired for a public purpose.

The purpose of appraising land needed for transportation purposes is to establish with reasonable certainty the amount of money the property owner is entitled to receive. While the property owner should receive all of the money he/she is entitled to receive, the state should not pay more than it is obligated to pay under the law.