Floyd, Higdon pre-file eminent domain bills to protect landowners
STAFF REPORT
Rep. David Floyd, R-Bardstown, and Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon sign companion bills they filed for the 2014 Session of the Kentucky General Assembly that if passed would protect landowners from the imposition of eminent domain for the proposed Bluegrass Pipeline. (Photo: Bud Kraft, LRC Public Information)
Oct. 7, 2013, 10 a.m. — Rep. David Floyd, R-Bardstown (50th District) announced last week he has pre-filed a bill for the 2014 Session of the Kentucky General Assembly that if passed would protect landowners from a government taking of their property for the purpose of an unregulated private user.
“We support business and industry, but we must make sure that all rights of Kentuckians, in this case the rights of landowners are preserved,” Floyd said. “I might understand why some want to grant easement for the Bluegrass Pipeline Project through their land, but I cannot fathom the argument that those who want to protect their property must yield to government force for the benefit of a private company. The taking of private property in Kentucky must be rare, and then only for public use.”
Under Floyd’s bill, BR 198, all other provisions related to Kentucky’s eminent domain law remain intact under ‘public use,’ but adds language that specifies any pipeline must be regulated by the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC). Floyd says the one-sentence addition to current law clarifies legislative intent from modifications made by the General Assembly in 2006 dealing with eminent domain in the Commonwealth.
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon filed a companion bill for the Kentucky Senate, BR 129, and is identical in wording and purpose to BR 198.
For more information on Rep. Floyd’s bill, go to http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/14rs/HB37.htm, and to get more information on Sen. Higdon’s bill, go to http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/14rs/SB14.htm.
-30-
