Eminent domain bill’s death brings grief for House Speaker, relief for mayor

“The failure of a bill that would restrict the use of eminent domain to acquire private land for a recreational lake is being cited by Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen as a big disappointment for the 2013 legislative session.

However, Osceola Mayor Fred Diehl contends that one provision of the legislation could have jeopardized the development of a new reservoir that’s “desperately” needed to provide drinking water and to spur economic development in the south-central Iowa community.

House File 219 died in last week’s second deadline or “funnel” for bills to advance in the Iowa Legislature. The measure had passed the Republican-controlled House 93-6, but didn’t advance in the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee.”

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Petroski, William. Des Moines Register 8 April 2013.