Groups divided on new eminent domain law
“Landowner advocates and the oil and gas industry remain at odds over a coming state law that adds protections for property owners during eminent domain cases.
The Legislature approved Senate File 118 during the past session.
The legislation places the burden of proof on developers or government entities to show why their request to use eminent domain to claim someone else’s property is justified. Failing that, it allows a judge to dismiss a condemnation case without prejudice.
It also forces the group seeking to condemn property to pay landowners’ legal fees if a judge determines it did not offer them a fair value for the property”
Brown, Trevor. Wyoming Tribune 22 April 2013.