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 stipulates that no unitization order can be issued by the commissioner to authorize the use of private property for these pipelines without the property owner's consent. This represents a significant shift in the legal framework surrounding carbon dioxide transport, emphasizing property rights and consent.

The bill also amends current laws related to expropriation by removing provisions that previously allowed for the expropriation of property for the transportation of carbon dioxide for underground injection. Specifically, it eliminates the authority of storage operators to expropriate property for the purpose of laying and maintaining pipelines for carbon dioxide transport. The proposed changes aim to enhance protections for property owners against the involuntary acquisition of their land for carbon dioxide pipeline projects, reflecting a growing concern over environmental and property rights issues.

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