Iowa Property Owners Battle Eminent Domain
DES MOINES — Property owners from around the state who worried that their land could be snatched up for development were at the Statehouse Monday pushing for a tightening of Iowa’s eminent domain laws.
Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, pointed to a number of requests from Iowans who are asking the Legislature to take action to protect their land from being condemned through eminent domain.
“We’ve got 10,000 acres in Iowa that are in jeopardy,” Kaufmann said at a news conference to highlight the issue.
Bob Palm of Jefferson County said he wants to expand his family farm, but he’s being threatened with condemnation.
“They’ve pretty much told us, ‘If you want to take us to court, we’ll just tie you up in court. We’ll get the farm one way or another,’” Palm said.
Kaufmann and a group of lawmakers are pushing a series of seven bills that would make it harder for governments to condemn land, especially if it would be used for economic development projects.
One of the proposals would exclude land acquired through eminent domain from receiving state dollars from tourism and community betterment funds.
Another bill would forbid land to be acquired to create a lake as a source of drinking water unless it is proved no feasible alternative exists. Proposed lakes in the southwest part of the state would displace farmers and landowners.
The governor’s signature would be required for any state condemnation of land under one of the proposals.
Landowners facing condemnation also would be able to tap a property owner defense fund to help reimburse them for legal costs.
Rep. Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, called on both parties to work together to protect property rights.
“This is a bipartisan issue, in my opinion. This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue,” he said.
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/02/26/news/politics/10154889.txt
WCF COURIER.COM
February 26, 2008