Eminent domain: final offer of compensation.

Existing law governing settlement offers in eminent domain proceedings authorizes the recovery of litigation expenses under certain circumstances. Existing law provides that if a court finds, on motion of the defendant, that the offer of the plaintiff was unreasonable and the offer of the defendant was reasonable in light of the evidence admitted and the compensation awarded in the proceeding, then the costs allowed shall include the defendant's litigation expenses. This bill would instead provide that if a court finds, on motion of the defendant, that the offer of the plaintiff was lower than 85% of the compensation awarded in the proceeding, then the court would be required to include the defendant's litigation costs in the costs allowed. If the court finds that the offer of the plaintiff was at least 85% and less than 100% of the compensation awarded in the proceeding, the court would be authorized to include the defendant's litigation costs in the costs allowed.