ROW PD recommends appraisal and other expert witness(es) for special commissioners' hearing. OAG may recommend (supported by specific justification) that specific expert witnesses be contracted. The ultimate decision whether such witness(es) is placed under contract is a TxDOT determination.

The ROW attorney, upon forwarding the eminent domain file to the OAG, will update Smartsheet with the date file was submitted to the OAG. ROW PD will determine the need to update the appraisal report for eminent domain purposes. If applicable, ROW PD will instruct the appraiser to appraise or update their appraisal reports of the subject property for the special commissioners' hearing. Any new information, appraisals, or updates must be produced to the property owner at least three business days prior to the Special Commissioner's Hearing.

Refer to TxDOT's

ROW Appraisal and Review Manual

for detailed procedures on selecting witnesses, requirements concerning the use of additional appraisers, and the need for updated, revised or new appraisals.

If the AAG handling a case has concerns regarding an appraisal that is to be used in an upcoming legal proceeding, the AAG should detail those concerns to TxDOT in writing. After reviewing the concerns expressed, ROW PD determines the need for obtaining additional or revised appraisals.