Stone Explains the Eminent Domain Legislation

There has been a public outcry in some area counties that a private company cannot use a public measure to take over land for its own business use. The Iowa House of Representatives took up this issue in a recent legislative piece called House File 565. State Representative Henry Stone has participated in the debate and passage of the measure by a 73-20 vote last week.

The measure calls for eminent domain only to be used when 90% of the easements along the pipeline route has been voluntarily signed over to the carbon pipeline company. Stone explained why the figure was arrived at.

Stone wrote a similar measure for consideration last year. That measure did not rise to a vote. He realizes that in crafting this bill, he had to protect both the ethanol industry and the rights of citizens in the state.

The measure now goes to the Iowa Senate.