Montana Senate backs eminent domain rollback
“The Montana Legislature revisited the contentious issue of “eminent domain” Tuesday, as the state Senate voted to repeal a two-year-old law that gives private power line developers the authority to condemn property to build the line.
“This is the time for the Montana Legislature to finally get it right, and protect private property owners in rural areas from private developers,” said Sen. Debby Barrett, R-Dillon, the sponsor of the repeal measure, Senate Bill 180.
The Senate voted 28-22 for Barrett’s bill, which faces a final vote Wednesday before advancing to the House.
Lawmakers also endorsed a pair of other bills giving landowners more of an edge when negotiating payment for their property that is condemned through eminent domain, for construction of power lines or other “public uses.””
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Dennion, Mike. The Missoulian 26 February 2013.