Lege Trend. Eminent Domain by Donation. Read the Bill.

A billionaire in California bought property on Martin’s Beach. Martin’s is a popular surfing spot. The billionaire cut off public access to the beach.

Round and round went lawyers, state commissions on land use, and then came California’s Senate Bill 42 that allows California to use eminent domain to guarantee public access for the surfers and beach goers.

But, how is California going to pay for this public access its acquiring from the billionaire? Via donation.

Senate Bill 42 allows the state to access donations for the purpose of acquiring the beach access.

Can you imagine if a international conglomerate wanted land, had the state acquire it, and was able to pay the state, via donations, to take the land to support their private enterprise? 

California Senate Bill 42 (2017)

Palo Alto Daily Post | Bills regarding Martins Beach, Caltrain, other local topics passed by Legislature