MinnesotaState and counties would be allowed to acquire utility property
State and county governments would be allowed to acquire utility property through a forced sale with compensation, including property owned by electric cooperatives.
What it does
The state and counties would be allowed to force the sale of utility property with compensation, including lost revenue. While proceedings are pending, they could request electricity service rights from the utility commission.
Argument forState and county governments could acquire utility facilities even when the owner will not agree to sell, including facilities owned by electric cooperatives.
Argument againstGovernments could pay more than the property's depreciated cost because payments must also cover lost utility revenue and costs of combining facilities.
More detail
The state and counties would be allowed to acquire utility property through eminent domain, a legal process that forces a sale with compensation. The provision covers public utility property, including property owned by electric cooperatives. It also applies to municipalities. Payments would have to include the property's original cost minus depreciation, lost utility revenue, costs of combining facilities, and other appropriate factors. While proceedings are pending, governments could ask the utility commission for electric service rights. They could not use section 117.042 to obtain those rights. The section would take effect the day following final enactment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Introduction and first reading, referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil LawIntroduced
Environment & Energy