Lege Trend: Allow Cities to Use Eminent Domain to Acquire Private Utilities.

Loyal subscribers have seen this trend as towns in Montana and California have moved to purchase by eminent domain private water utilities that aren’t providing a cost effective service to its citizens.

But, now the trend shifts to the Legislature. Which state legislature is moving language that allows local governments to use eminent domain to buy private utilities? Florida

What motivated the legislator to move forward with this new eminent domain authority?

• Constituents were ” being forced to pay rates that are much higher” than other residents of the same county
• The Constituents paid higher rates and experienced 

What triggers will the law have to allow the governments to buy private utilties?

• 65 percent of the customers sign a petition to initiate revocation of the utilities ability to operate
• the local government will have access to low-interest financing for utility acquisitions

Tampa Bay Times | Bill seeks to ease Summertree utility sale