A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to allow attorneys' fees and costs of court to the property owner in condemnation actions where the amount of the JUDGMENT exceeds the funds deposited by the CONDEMNOR.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 40A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 40A‑57. Attorneys' fees.
If the final judgment is greater than the amount deposited by the condemnor pursuant to this Article, the owner shall be entitled to attorneys' fees and costs of court."
SECTION 2.  Article 2 of Chapter 40A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 40A‑35. Attorneys' fees.
If the final judgment is greater than the amount deposited by the condemnor pursuant to this Article, the owner shall be entitled to attorneys' fees and costs of court."
SECTION 3.  Article 9 of Chapter 136 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 136‑121.2. Attorneys' fees.
If the final judgment is greater than the amount deposited by the condemnor pursuant to this Article, the owner shall be entitled to attorneys' fees and costs of court."
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2007.