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House Passes Eminent‑Domain Bill Requiring Appraisals, Relocation Costs and Mediation
Summary
The House approved Senate Substitute Bill 70 requiring agencies that exercise eminent domain to pay relocation costs, appraisal costs and to use independent appraisers agreed on by parties; the measure also authorizes mediation with shared costs and passed the House (61–10).
Senate Substitute Bill 70, a bill addressing eminent‑domain valuation and compensation, was presented to the House and approved on March 5 after floor amendments and debate.
The sponsor summarized the bill’s key terms: agencies exercising eminent domain would pay relocation costs, appraisal costs and an independent appraiser would be selected by agreement of both parties; mediation would be available with costs shared and a 45‑day deadline for completion, and mediation records could be used in later litigation if the mediation failed.
Members debated several floor amendments, including delaying the bill’s effective date to allow further study and proposals to narrow or expand which political subdivisions are covered. Supporters said the delay would allow additional review and coordination with the Department of Transportation on large projects; opponents warned the change could impose outsized costs on small jurisdictions. After amendments and a final vote, the House passed the bill and returned it to the Senate for further action (61 yes, 10 no).
