Committee advances bill to raise appraisal reimbursement for eminent-domain takings

House File 1532, a bill to increase the state's reimbursement for property appraisals in eminent-domain proceedings, was recommended to pass by the Minnesota House Finance and Government Operations Committee.

The bill's author, Representative Olson, told the committee that the bill "only increases the state's reimbursement ability for the purpose of an appraisal in the event of imminent domain." He noted current law reimburses appraisal costs "up to $1,500 for a single family or up to $5,000 for something larger," and cited a recent Redfin article saying appraisals for single-family homes can be as much as $2,000.

The nut graf: supporters said the bill is intended to ensure property owners have sufficient reimbursement to obtain independent appraisals when the state or another entity exercises eminent domain, so owners can secure a second professional valuation if they dispute the taking agency's estimate.

Committee discussion was brief. Representative Olson described the current statutory caps and argued they may not fully cover appraisal costs for many homeowners. No amendment or alternate motion was recorded in the committee discussion. The committee chair moved that House File 1532 be "recommended to pass and be re referred to the general registry." The motion passed; the transcript records the committee vote as "all in favor, aye" followed by "opposed, nay" and the chair announced the motion passes. The transcript does not include a roll-call vote or numeric tally.

No additional evidence of committee direction, amendments, or referral conditions appears in the transcript. The bill will proceed to the General Register for further consideration.

Ending note: The transcript records the author thanking the chair and committee after the vote, and no further debate or amendment was taken on the item in this hearing.