Sandhills eminent domain bill moves to governor for signature

An amended version of a bill that would allow landowners a foot in the courthouse door if eminent domain is threatened was sent to Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday.

The Legislature passed a bill (LB155) that had been changed as part of a compromise. It addresses the use of eminent domain for private industrial wind farms.

The bill doesn't do what was originally intended, but it opens the ability to fight an eminent domain issue and whether it is in the public interest to allow it, said Sen. Tom Brewer, who introduced the bill.

"We didn't have that before. And that's huge," Brewer said. "Because before it was given if it was a wind farm, and they wanted the right of way, all they had to do was ask (Nebraska Public Power District) or (Omaha Public Power District) and it was automatic (that) it was considered for the use of the public."

Read more: https://journalstar.com/legislature/sandhills-eminent-domain-bill-moves-to-governor-for-signature/article_468a3d5f-40e4-5350-990f-930602a69ecc.html