Bill Filing: Heart of Groundwater Fight Is Eminent Domain

Representative Isaac says removing eminent domain authority from a water district is the “saving grace.”  he goes on to talk about the abuses of eminent domain authority by special districts. Texas Tribune

There are 100s, if not 1000s, of special districts in Texas. Texas Legislative Council has tracks and organizes these grants of eminent domain authority. The 2012 list of special di…

Lege Trend: No Eminent Domain for CO2 Pipes

New Mexico State Representative Matthew McQueen, D-Galisteo offered legislation to ban the use of eminent domain by private companies operating pipelines that would carry CO2.  

This unique bill died in committee, but has sparked an activist movement that believes their property will be rezoned and their mortgages cancelled should a pipeline cross their land.

 Mountain View Telegraph<...

Lege Trend: Sacramento Kings Stadium Gets Expedited Eminent Domain

The California legislature has provided several mechanisms to build stadiums more quickly. One of these tools is to allow for eminent domain before environmental studies are completed. 

The City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Kings have won 2 court cases upholding their ability to move quickly to build the new stadium.

National Law Review

Attorneys Fees in Eminent Domain Cases Gets Quick Hearing in Senate

 This week, Sen. Kolkhorst’s SB 474  , received a hearing in Senate State Affairs. To commemorate the occasion, TPPF released a paper supporting her bill. 

TPPF offers 4 Key Points on why reimbursing property owners for fees and costs of eminent domain litigation is good public policy:

  • “Texas property owners cannot rely on legislative oversight or the political process to …

Lege Trend: Cornhusker State to Say NO to Eminent Domain for Private Companies

LB 473 would prevent eminent domain for private companies. It’s a direct response to the Keystone XL Pipeline ruckus in Nebraska that has seen protests and court rulings thus far blocking eminent domain.

More than 11,000 people have signed a petition supporting this bill for Bold Nebraska, a group opposed to eminent domain for private pipelines. 

Trend: Only Permit Eminent Domain at the Request of the Property Owner

Passing by a margin greater than 2:1, Littleton Colorado voters approved a measure to require that a property owner consent to eminent domain before eminent domain can be used.  

Removing the ability to threaten eminent domain will likely make negotiations for property purchases more productive. Supporters say the goal is for citizens to do what is best for Littleton. 

adminPosted inactivism, campaigns, private property rights

Poll: 81% Do Not Support Eminent Domain

Iowa is polling on everything from potential Presidential candidates to private companies using eminent domain. Private companies using eminent domain is as popular in Iowa as it is in Texas.

  • 57% favor pipelines
  • A majority favor building wind transmission lines and pipelines

Iowans like energy projects, but they strongly dislike these same companies using eminent domain. 

  • 74% oppose eminent domain by pipelines and transmission line companies…