Natural Resources Code § 11.076

Sec. 11.076. UNLAWFUL ENCLOSURES. (a) If the governor is credibly informed that any portion of the public land or the land which belongs to any of the special land funds has been enclosed or that fences have been erected on the land in violation of law, he may direct the attorney general to institute suit in the name of the state for the recovery of the land, damages, and fees. (b) The fee for the attorney general may not be less than $10 if the amount recovered is less than $100, but if the amount of recovery is over $100, the fee shall be 10 percent paid by the defendant for the use and occupancy of the land and the removal of the enclosure and fences. (c) The damages may not be less than five cents an acre a year for the period of occupancy. (d) In a suit brought under this section, the court shall issue a writ of sequestration directed to any sheriff in the state requiring him to take into actual custody the land and any property on the land which belongs to the person who is unlawfully occupying the land and to hold the land and other property until the court issues further orders. The writ may be executed by the sheriff to whom it is delivered, and he shall proceed to execute the writ. (e) The defendant in the suit may replevy the property as provided in other cases by executing the bond required by law. (f) An appeal from a suit brought under this section has precedence over other cases. (g) If judgment is recovered by the state in the suit, the court shall order the enclosure or fences removed and shall charge the costs of the suit to the defendant. Property on the land which belongs to the defendant and which is not exempt from execution may be used to pay costs and damages in addition to the personal liability of the defendant. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2353, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2644, ch. 707, Sec. 4(32), eff. Aug. 31, 1981.