MN SF968

Court shall award owner attorney fees, litigation expenses, appraisal fees, and related costs if final judgment exceeds the condemning authority's last written offer by more than 40 percent, or if offer was made within 30 days of receiving owner's appraisal.

Court may award reasonable attorney fees and costs if final judgment is 20-40 percent greater than the last written offer; no fees awarded if final judgment does not exceed $25,000.

Acquiring authority must obtain at least one appraisal before commencing eminent domain proceedings and provide owner with copy at time of offer, no later than 60 days before presenting petition.

Owner entitled to reimbursement up to $1,500 for single/two-family residential property and $5,000 for other property types for reasonable appraisal costs, with submission deadline changed from five to 30 days before commissioners' hearing.

Appraisal reports must be provided to opposing party at least 30 days before condemnation commissioners' hearing (changed from five days) for appraisal to be used as evidence or appraiser to testify.