How to Walk Back Eminent Domain Reform.

What’s happening? Eminent Domain reform is a perennial issue in Iowa. This year is special there are ghost of new carbon capture pipelines being built which some say led to legislators hitting the pause button on eminent domain reform.

Why is this important? Let’s look at how they are talking about it. Here we go:

• ” “wrong message” to businesses and to the landowners who’ve already signed easements for carbon pipelines and landowners still considering contracts.”
• ““I’m pro- you deciding what to do with your farm or your business or your home, unless you’re doing something stupid, like committing a crime or not paying taxes. And the process has worked so far, but someday, it’s not. And someday, landowners are going to get screwed.”
• “Changing the rules on the use of eminent domain would send the wrong message to potential supporters in Iowa, who are necessary for these projects to follow through on their commitments to landowners. They need to have confidence that Iowa is a great place to do business and that you can count on a stable legal, regulatory and tax structure.”
•  will pursue “long-term legislation that makes Iowa a great place to do business and innovate, while ensuring the property rights of Iowans are protected.”

How will this be important? Economic Development reasons vs. eminent domain reform is a new hot ticket

Radio Iowa | Kaufmann tables 2022 discussion of eminent domain changes

Tristates Public Radio | Iowa lawmaker wants to address carbon pipelines & eminent domain