PROPERTY/EXPROPRIATION: Provides relative to expropriation

HB 449 amends Louisiana's expropriation law (R.S. 19:12) to clarify court cost responsibilities. It states that if a government entity (the expropriating authority) offers an amount equal to or higher than the final court award before filing a lawsuit, the court *may* order the property owner (defendant) to pay some or all costs of the proceeding. However, all court costs incurred due to the expropriation must still be paid by the government entity. This bill directly affects property owners facing eminent domain actions and government agencies conducting such takings, focusing on shifting cost burdens based on pre-litigation offers.