Iowa House Bill to Address Eminent Domain Process

A House committee has approved a bill that outlines a new legal avenue for landowners who don’t want a carbon pipeline running through their property.

Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City ( R ) says the legislation  addresses the ability of developers, such as Summit Carbon Solutions, to gain eminent domain authority to seize ground from unwilling property owners, while helping clarify how far eminent domain can legally reach.

The bill would also give Polk County District Court the authority to review claims from landowners or developers about whether eminent domain authority may be used for any project — including Summit’s carbon pipeline, proposed to be built in Floyd, Chickasaw, Mitchell, Fayette, Butler, Bremer and Cerro Gordo counties.

Thomson says landowners need the protection this bill could provide.

The bill cleared the House Ways and Means Committee on a 24-0 vote last week and is now eligible for House debate, which Thomson expects to happen this week.