Sec. 22.041. PLEA FOR REMOVAL OF IMPROVEMENTS

(a) A defendant in a trespass to try title action who is not the rightful owner of the property in controversy may remove improvements made to the property if:

(1) the defendant, and those under whom the defendant claims, possessed the property, and made permanent and valuable improvements to it, without intent to defraud; and

(2) the improvements can be removed without substantial and permanent damage to the property.

(b) The pleadings of a defendant who seeks to remove improvements must contain:

(1) a statement that the defendant, and those under whom the defendant claims, adversely possessed the property, and made permanent and valuable improvements to it, without intent to defraud;

(2) a statement identifying the improvements; and

(3) an offer to provide a surety bond in an amount and conditioned as required by this section.

(c) Before removing the improvements, the defendant must post a surety bond in an amount determined by the court, conditioned on the removal of the improvements in a manner that substantially restores the property to the condition it was in before the improvements were made.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3511, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.