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I’ve created five new Senate bills to provide protection for farmers and other rural landowners and to curb abuse of eminent domain when it is being sought by private companies for private profit.  SF 101 removes the power of eminent domain from the Iowa Utilities Board for hazardous liquid pipelines.  SF 104 requires 90% voluntary easement threshold for eminent domain in regard to the proposed pipelines (a backup measure if we’re unable to pass SF 101, my first choice).

SF 102 removes legal permission from the pipeline companies to survey private land without permission.  SF 103  provides harassment protection for landowners during easement negotiations initiated by land agents working for pipeline companies.  SF 100 requires public disclosure of pipeline investors’ names, addresses, and dollar ranges if a company is seeking eminent domain from the IUB.  It will still be an uphill climb, but there’s considerable sentiment in both the Senate and House for meaningful reforms of the system.

Author: Jeff Taylor

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