Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed eminent domain law Saturday
SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Gov. Mike Parson signed the House Bill 2005 into effect on Saturday at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.
The signing took place during the Missouri Cattlemen's Association's annual Steak Fry Dinner.
The new eminent domain law will require energy companies to pay private landowners 150% of the fair market value to use their land. Previously, eminent domain gave companies, such as energy companies, the right to build infastructure on privately owned land if it was for the greater good of the public.
Now, energy companies will have to pay for the land, and they will be required to have a substation or converter station in Missouri to provide energy proportional to the length of its transmission lines.
"Yeah well we all want power, we want internet someday, there's just gotta be a real way to do that but you gotta work with the farmers to do that," Parson said.
Electrical companies will have to also secure the necessary financial commitments within seven years of when the involuntary easement is obtained, or it will be returned to the original owner.
The law has been in the works for years, and after multiple compromises, it was finally signed, which Govenor Parsons said is important for farmers in Missouri.
"Yeah, it's a big win for farmers across the state, making sure we are talking about Eminent Domain and understand how important our land is to it and how many voices we have in that," said Parson.
St. Louis State Representative (R-district 96) said that he is happy that the bill was signed at the Missouri State fairgrounds, and he believes this is a big move for farmers.
"Our farmers need fair market for their property, they absolutely need that, and they deserve that, it's also critical that we maintain at least a significant portion of that power, coming through Missouri for Missouri, so this is a super exciting time, it's wonderful that it's here at the Cattlemen Steak-fry, on the Missouri State Fairgrounds at the hub of our agricultural center here in Missouri," Gregory said.
"Yeah well we all want power, we want INTERNET someday, there's just gotta be a real way to do that but you gotta work with the farmers to do that," Parson said.
