SB 847

This bill makes a number of changes to the laws governing condemnation of

property, including the following:

1. Currently, a municipality may use a special procedure to condemn blighted

residential property. The special procedure allows such condemnations to occur

more quickly. This bill eliminates the special procedure.

2. Current law provides that, in general, property that is not blighted may not

be condemned if the condemnor intends to convey the property to a private entity.

Current law generally defines “blighted property” as property that, by reason of one

or more certain specified factors, is detrimental to the public health, safety, or

welfare. This bill narrows the meaning of “blighted property," thus expanding the

scope of the prohibition. Specifically, the bill eliminates “age or obsolescence” and

“faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness” as factors

that may, either alone or in combination with other factors, be cited as reasons for

property to be deemed blighted for purposes of the prohibition.

3. The bill clarifies that all condemnations by a housing authority,

redevelopment authority, or community development authority be conducted using

the regular procedure for eminent domain.