This is one of those things that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been bugging me for a long time, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m finally getting around to looking it up.\u00c2\u00a0 There are a few twists and turns, and this is a long post, with a lot of links and a lot of audio listening for you to dig in if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re interested.\u00c2\u00a0 If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a landowner, you sure better be!\u00c2\u00a0 If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a landowner affected by utility infrastructure, this is required reading and listening!<\/p>\n
Here we go!<\/p>\n
\nHistory of Minn. Stat. 117.189<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the statute (the specific statutory cites below are linked):<\/p>\n
117.189 PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION EXCEPTIONS.<\/a><\/p>\n
Sections 117.031<\/a>; 117.036<\/a>; 117.055, subdivision 2, paragraph (b)<\/a>; 117.186<\/a>; 117.187<\/a>; 117.188<\/a>; and 117.52, subdivisions 1a and 4<\/a>, do not apply to public service corporations. For purposes of an award of appraisal fees under section 117.085<\/a>, the fees awarded may not exceed $500 for all types of property.
\nHistory:<\/p>\n2006 c 214 s 14<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Short version – this bill was a bipartisan sell-out that exempted CapX 2020 and any other public service corporation project from eminent domain that every other entity must comply with.\u00c2\u00a0 Why on earth would they do this\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 or rather, what innocent explaination is there for this 117.189 section of the bill?<\/p>\n
So far that I’ve heard (only ~6 hours thus far), Sen. Scott Dibble is
\nthe only one asking “Why exempt public service corporations?”<\/p>\nThe only Senators who voted against this were:<\/p>\n
Anderson, Cohen, Dibble, Hottinger, Marko, Moua, Pappas, Ranum, Skoglund<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The only Reps who voted against this were:<\/p>\n
Davnie, Ellison, Goodwin, Hausman, Hornstein, Huntley, Johnson, S., Kahn, Lanning, Lenczewski, Mahoney, Mariani, Mullery, Paymar, Thao, Wagenius, Walker<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Please take a few minutes and send them a thank you note!\u00c2\u00a0 Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a link to their emails:<\/p>\n
House Members<\/a><\/p>\n
Senate Members<\/a><\/p>\n
\n*****************************************************<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nFirst, some more history, going back to my all time favorite bill:<\/p>\n
\n2005 TRANSMISSION OMNIBUS BILL FROM HELL<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Remember, this was the bill that grew from the deal the enviros did in 2003, incorporating the material terms of that deal into the 2005 Omnibus bill.<\/p>\n
\nME3, MCEA, Waltons, NAWO -TRANSLink deal<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
And\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 why\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 look, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s language in the 2005 Transmission Omnibus Bill from Hell mandating an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Eminent Domain Landowner Compensation \u00e2\u20ac\u201d Landowner Payments Working Group!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
55.35 ARTICLE 11\r\n55.36 EMINENT DOMAIN LANDOWNER COMPENSATION\r\n56.1 Section. 1. [LANDOWNER PAYMENTS WORKING GROUP.]\r\n56.2 Subdivision 1.<\/span> [MEMBERSHIP.] By June 15, 2005, the<\/span>\r\n56.3 Legislative Electric Energy Task Force shall convene a landowner<\/span>\r\n56.4 payments working group consisting of up to 12 members, including<\/span>\r\n56.5 representatives from each of the following groups:<\/span>\r\n56.6 transmission-owning investor-owned utilities, electric<\/span>\r\n56.7 cooperatives, municipal power agencies, Farm Bureau, Farmers<\/span>\r\n56.8 Union, county commissioners, real estate appraisers and others<\/span>\r\n56.9 with an interest and expertise in landowner rights and the<\/span>\r\n56.10 market value of rural property.<\/span>\r\n56.11 Subd. 2.<\/span> [APPOINTMENT.] The chairs of the Legislative<\/span>\r\n56.12 Electric Energy Task Force and the chairs of the senate and<\/span>\r\n56.13 house committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy<\/span>\r\n56.14 shall jointly appoint the working group members.<\/span>\r\n56.15 Subd. 3.<\/span> [CHARGE.] (a) The landowner payments working<\/span>\r\n56.16 group shall research alternative methods of remunerating<\/span>\r\n56.17 landowners on whose land high voltage transmission lines have<\/span>\r\n56.18 been constructed.<\/span>\r\n56.19 (b) In developing its recommendations, the working group<\/span>\r\n56.20 shall:<\/span>\r\n56.21 (1) examine different methods of landowner payments that<\/span>\r\n56.22 operate in other states and countries;<\/span>\r\n56.23 (2) consider innovative alternatives to lump-sum payments<\/span>\r\n56.24 that extend payments over the life of the transmission line and<\/span>\r\n56.25 that run with the land if the land is conveyed to another owner;<\/span>\r\n56.26 (3) consider alternative ways of structuring payments that<\/span>\r\n56.27 are equitable to landowners and utilities.<\/span>\r\n56.28 Subd. 4.<\/span> [EXPENSES.] Members of the working group shall be<\/span>\r\n56.29 reimbursed for expenses as provided in Minnesota Statutes,<\/span>\r\n56.30 section 15.059, subdivision 6. Expenses of the landowner<\/span>\r\n56.31 payments working group shall not exceed $10,000 without the<\/span>\r\n56.32 approval of the chairs of the Legislative Electric Energy Task<\/span>\r\n56.33 Force.<\/span>\r\n56.34 Subd. 5.<\/span> [REPORT.] The landowner payments working group<\/span>\r\n56.35 shall present its findings and recommendations, including<\/span>\r\n56.36 legislative recommendations and model legislation, if any, in a<\/span>\r\n57.1 report to the Legislative Electric Energy Task Force by January<\/span>\r\n57.2 15, 2006.<\/span><\/a><\/pre>\n\n
Now, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s take a look at who was on that Committee:<\/p>\n
REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS<\/p>\n
\n1. Jim Musso (Xcel Energy) representing transmission owning investor-owned utilities
\n2. Bob Ambrose (Great River Energy) representing electric cooperatives
\n3. Mrg Simon (Missouri River Energy) representing municipal power agencies
\n4. Chris Radatz-representing the Minnesota Farm Bureau
\n5. Tim Henning (farmer) representing the Minnesota Farmers Union
\n6. Jack Keers (Pipestone County Commissioner) representing county commissioners
\n7. Robin Nesburg (Rural Appraisal Services) representing real estate appraisers<\/p><\/blockquote>\nAT LARGE MEMBERS<\/p>\n
\n8. Beth Soholt (Wind on the Wires)
\n9. John Nauerth III (farmer)
\n10. George Crocker (North American Water Office)
\n11. Bob Cupit (Public Utilities Commission)
\n12. Bill Blazar (Minnesota Chamber of Commerce)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
\n*****************************************************<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLet\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s look at the Senate bill, SF 2750 and the House bill, HF 2846.<\/p>\n
SF 2750<\/h2>\n
Senate Authors, none added after introduction:\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Bakk ; Kiscaden ; Bachmann ; Chaudhary ; Kubly<\/p>\n
Bill as introduced, had the Public Service Corporation exemption AND the appraisal fee limitation:
\n<\/a><\/p>\n12.8\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Sec. 14. [117.189] PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION EXCEPTIONS.
\n12.9\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Sections 117.031; 117.036; 117.055, subdivision 2, paragraph (b); 117.186; 117.187;
\n12.10\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 117.188; and 117.52, subdivisions 1a and 4, do not apply to public service corporations.
\n12.11\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 For purposes of an award of appraisal fees under section 117.085, the fees awarded may
\n12.12\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 not exceed $500 for all types of property.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nOn the Senate side, there are some interesting statements in the first Committee hearing, Judiciary, discussion about limiting who can speak at county meetings about eminent domain (!!!), limitations of attorneys\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 fees\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 and there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a discussion that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m trying to transcribe \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 will post soon\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
Senate Judiciary – March 9, 2006 – PART I<\/a><\/p>\n
Senate Judiciary – March 9, 2006 – PART II<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
*****************************************************<\/p>\n
HF 2846<\/h2>\n
Introduced with these authors: House Authors\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Johnson, J. ; Thissen ; Smith ; Davids ; Dill ; Paulsen
\nBy the end, here is who signed on to this:
\nHouse Authors\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Johnson, J. ; Thissen ; Smith ; Davids ; Dill ; Paulsen ; Penas ; Moe ; Garofalo ; Nelson, P. ; Wardlow ; Magnus ; Cybart ; Olson ; Westrom ; Erickson ; Klinzing ; Charron<\/a><\/p>\nAs introduced it had the Public Service Corporation exemption:
\n<\/a><\/p>\n5.25\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Sec. 9. [117.189] PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION EXCEPTION.
\n5.26\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Sections 117.031, 117.186, 117.187, and 117.188 do not apply to public service
\n5.27\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 corporations.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n*** The sentence about appraisals did not appear in it as introduced or in the 5 engrossments online.<\/p>\n
Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the House Research explanation of that paragraph:<\/p>\n
12\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Public service corporation exception. Provides that the provisions for attorneys\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 fees (section 4 ), compensation for loss of going concern (section 8 ), minimum compensation (section 10 ), and limitations (section 11 ), do not apply to public service corporations.<\/p>\n
*****************************************************<\/p>\n
Conference Committee<\/h2>\n
04\/12\/2006\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Senate conferees\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Bakk, Murphy, Betzold, Higgins, Ortman
\n04\/12\/2006\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 House conferees\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Johnson, J.; Abrams; Davids; Anderson, B.; Thissen<\/p>\n*****************************************************<\/p>\n
Here are the reports of House and Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report, including votes:<\/p>\n
\nSenate Adopted Conference Committee Report, bill repassed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nHouse Adopted Conference Committee Report, bill repassed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This is one of those things that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been bugging me for a long time, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m finally getting around to looking it up.\u00c2\u00a0 There are a few twists and turns, and this is a long post, with a lot of …<\/span> Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[14,38,205,31,35,83],"class_list":["post-1016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-laws-rules","tag-capx-2020","tag-eminent-domain","tag-legislature","tag-no-capx-2020","tag-powerline","tag-transmission"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1016"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1016\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1024,"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1016\/revisions\/1024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}