| (a) Applicability. The following umpire obligations
apply only when the department selects an umpire under §5.4217
of this title (relating to Appraisal Process - Umpire Selection by
Department).
(b) Notices. No later than the seventh day after receiving
notice of being selected for an appraisal, the umpire must send a
notice to the parties and to the appraisers. This deadline may not
be extended. The notice must:
(1) be in writing;
(2) inform the parties and appraisers that the umpire
has been selected;
(3) state whether the umpire is insured by the association;
and
(4) inform the parties of their right to object to
the umpire under §5.4252 of this title (relating to Objections).
(c) Contract. Before the umpire begins work, the parties
and the selected umpire must sign an appraisal contract. The contract
must require:
(1) the parties and the umpire to comply with the sections
of this division related to appraisal; and
(2) each party to pay one-half of all appraisal costs
described in §5.4221 of this title (relating to Appraisal Process
- Costs).
(d) Disposition. The umpire must notify the department
when the appraisal process is complete and of the appraisal decision.
(e) Fees. The umpire must charge an hourly rate of
$150 and may charge a two-hour minimum fee.
(1) The parties may not pay an umpire on a contingent
fee basis, percentage of the decision, barter arrangement, gift, favor,
or in-kind exchange.
(2) The umpire may charge for reasonable incurred travel
costs, including mileage, meals, and lodging, according to the travel
regulations adopted by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts under
Government Code §660.021. The umpire must provide an estimate
of travel costs as an addendum to the contract under subsection (c)
of this section.
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