Texas Agriculture Code - AGRIC § 142.008. Appeal of Court Award

(a) If either the owner of the estray or the owner or occupant of the public or private property disagrees with a justice's assessment of the payment amount under Section 142.005(b) or 142.006(b-1), the amount in question shall be finally determined according to the procedure prescribed by this section.

(b) The complainant begins the appeal by filing a petition that gives the information listed in Section 142.007 of this code.

(c) The justice of the peace shall appoint three disinterested persons familiar with livestock and agriculture who reside in the county as special commissioners to determine the amount owed, if any, to the owner of the property or the sheriff, taking into account the time of the notice of discovery given by the property owner.

(d) At the request of the special commissioners for their proceedings, the justice of the peace may compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of testimony, administer oaths, and punish for contempt. The commissioners' decision as to the amount of any payment is final.