COVENTRY – The General Assembly may consider legislation this year that would require the state to return land acquired for eminent domain to its original owner, if not used for economic-development purposes in 10 years.
The bill, introduced by primary sponsor Rep. Sherry Roberts, R-Coventry, requires the state to give the first right to the land back to the owner, or heir, for the same price.
Scheduled for a House committee hearing this week, the bill was introduced on March 16.
It is an attempt to lessen what Roberts called the misuse of eminent domain. “We must return land to the citizens when it is realized that eminent domain was not necessary for all, part, or any of a project for one reason or another. This will minimize the amount of eminent domain land being left without purpose,” she said.
