ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY; EMINENT DOMAIN; DAMAGES.

(a) In this section, "property" means property of any kind, including a lighter, a tug, a barge, and other floating equipment of any nature.

(b) If necessary or convenient to exercising a power, right, privilege, or function conferred on the district by this chapter, the district:

(1) by gift or purchase may acquire property or an interest in property that is inside or outside the district's boundaries; or

(2) by exercising the power of eminent domain may acquire property or an interest in property that is inside the district's boundaries.

(c) The district may exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire the fee simple title to or an easement or right-of-way over and through any land, water, or land under water, private or public, in the district that the board determines is necessary or convenient to carry out a purpose or power granted to the district by this chapter.

(d) The district must exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by Chapter 21, Property Code, except that the district is not required to give bond for appeal or bond for costs in any judicial proceeding.

(e) In exercising the power of eminent domain against a person that has the power of eminent domain or a receiver or trustee for that person, the district may acquire an easement only and not the fee simple title.

(f) A condemnation proceeding is under the board's direction and must be in the district's name.

(g) Except as provided by Subsections (h) and (i), the assessment of damages and all procedures with reference to condemnation, appeal, and payment must conform to Chapter 21, Property Code.

(h) If the district's exercise of a power granted by this chapter makes necessary the relocation of a railroad line or right-of-way, the district shall pay the cost of the relocation and any damage incurred in changing and adjusting the railroad lines and grades.

(i) The damages to the owner of public utilities and communication facilities and properties must include the actual loss, costs, and expenses incident to the removal and relocation of the facilities and properties, including:

(1) the costs of installing the facilities in a new location;

(2) the costs of any land or rights or interest in land; and

(3) any other property rights acquired to accomplish the removal and relocation.

(j) The district's authority under this section to exercise the power of eminent domain expired on September 1, 2013, unless the district submitted a letter to the comptroller in accordance with Section 2206.101(b), Government Code, not later than December 31, 2012.