This bill amends the existing law regarding the exercise of eminent domain by utilities, specifically concerning the construction of hazardous liquid pipelines for the transportation or transmission of liquefied carbon dioxide. It stipulates that such construction does not qualify as a public use, public purpose, or public improvement, meaning that utilities must obtain the consent of agricultural landowners before condemning their land for these purposes. This contrasts with current law, which allows utilities to condemn agricultural land without the owner's consent for private development purposes.

Additionally, the bill provides a definition of a utility, encompassing various entities that provide essential services such as gas, electricity, and water to the public for compensation. The legislation is effective immediately upon enactment and applies to condemnation proceedings initiated after the effective date. This change aims to protect agricultural landowners' rights in the face of utility expansions related to hazardous liquid pipelines.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6A.21