Senate Approves Revised Eminent Domain Bill: WISH-TV8 (Indianapolis IN), 3/1/06

The Indiana Senate has unanimously approved a revised bill that would place restrictions on the ability of most government units from seizing private property and transferring it to private entities.

Under the bill, property must meet certain conditions of being blighted before it can be taken by government eminent domain for private purposes.

The Senate added a provision allowing governments to take a few parcels if they're needed to complete an economic development deal.

Governments would have to pay 125 percent of the fair-market value for farmland and pay homeowners 150 percent of the value of their property to seize it.

If the House concurs with the Senate's changes, the bill would go to Governor Daniels for his consideration.

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WISH-TV8: www.wishtv.com