House Bill No. by Representative Schamerhorn seeks to amend existing laws regarding the exercise of eminent domain and unitization specifically for pipelines that transport carbon dioxide. The bill prohibits any corporation, person, or entity from using eminent domain to acquire property for the primary purpose of constructing or operating such pipelines. Additionally, it establishes that no unitization order can be issued by the commissioner for the use of private property for these pipelines without the property owner's consent. This legislative change aims to protect property rights in relation to carbon dioxide transport infrastructure.

The bill also amends current laws that previously allowed certain entities to expropriate property for carbon dioxide transportation and storage. Specifically, it removes provisions that permitted expropriation for the transportation of carbon dioxide for underground storage and modifies the authority of storage operators regarding eminent domain. The proposed law emphasizes the need for property owner consent in any unitization efforts related to carbon dioxide pipelines, thereby reinforcing property rights in this context.

Statutes affected:
HB553 Original: 19:2(10), 30:1108(A)(1)