OK HB3453

Property owners in condemnation proceedings may request a hearing on whether the taking is for public use or necessity by filing a timely exception to the commissioners' report

Condemning authorities must prove by preponderance of the evidence that the taking is for a lawful public use and that the specific property is reasonably necessary for that purpose

Government resolutions or declarations of necessity are not conclusive evidence and cannot alone satisfy the burden of proof

Property owners who successfully defeat a condemnation are entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees, costs, and expert witness fees

Effective date: November 1, 2026