Welcome to the Future!
UNT and Sac and Save have reached an agreement to purchase the 91,000 building for $6.25 million. The agreement is pending approval from the board of regents.
Eminent Domain was an available option for UNT. However, because the property had other pending offers for purchase, and the desire to avoid eminent domain litigation; a purchase agreement was reached. The Denton County appraisal of the property was approximately $2.2 million.
Squeaking by in a 5-4 vote, Senate Transportation Committee passed SB 1601 by Kolkhorst. the bill removes eminent domain authority for high speed rail.
The High Speed Rail proponents say federal law, alone, doesn’t provide the tools that will help them to build their rail. 1190 Talk Radio Dallas
In Texas, The Senate Committee on Transportation approved SB 1601 which would deny eminent domain for high speed rail in Texas.
In Minnesota, all railroads may have their eminent domain authority revoked or curtailed by local government approval of projects. Opponents to a rail plan cite problems for emergency responders, increased train traffic, and lower property values in their desire to reign in the power of eminent domain. Sun Post
HB 4175 grants new statutory eminent doamin authority to 29 special purpose districts in and around the Houston area.
Missouri wants to block emiennt domain authority for Missouri electric transmission companies that do not contribute electricty to the regulated electric grid for the use of Missouians.
To receive eminent doamin authority, the electric transmission compnay would have to demonstrate a need or benefit to Missouri. Land woner groups, agricultural groups, and cattle groups support the bill.
Add it to the laundry list of new eminent domain regulations that reign in eminent domain for private companies.
Say you’re a property owner having your property taken by eminent domain. You file suit to protect your property from eminent domain, and then the condemning entity files motion after motion as an exuberant party. You pay your attorney to reply to each motion.
What happens when attorney fees are due to an overzealous litigant that is a condemning entity?
The Florida Supreme Court will rule on when attorney fees can be awarded for fees related to an overzealous, litigating condemning entity. Lexis Nexis Law360
Nevada Assembly Bill 408 would require that the Federal Government get state permission to use land within the state’s borders. It would also remove state water rights from the feds. It’s a big deal in a state where more than 80% of the land is federal. The impact to Area 51 is unknown at this time.
10 states are following Nevada’s lead.
Cliven Bundy made a name for himself in a stand off with the federal government over ranch lands in Nevada.
The Texas pipeline proptests over TransCanada Pipeline are enough for a movie. Here’s the story:
In tiny Eagle, Idaho, a business owner is fighting a blight designation for her property. The property has not, in the last 14 years, received a ticket or notice or fine.
An Idaho Redevelopment Corporation wants her property for a parking lot and is trying to use a blight designation to get it.
The business owner is a fighter. Sounding like 80s rock icons, she said, “My plans are still to continue to do what I think every American should do, fight for their property, fight for their right,” (to party, nay, property).
The Mayor of the City of New London wants to turn the property where the Kelo house stood to be turned into a park in honor of the residents whose homes were taken by eminent domain.
Kelo’s house was taken for a economic development project that never came to full fruition. The Kelp land is ripe for something.
The mayor’s campaign included these two issues: