HB 1324 - Eminent Domain Amendments

• Requires airport authorities, municipalities, water resource boards, and irrigation districts to deposit at least 10% of fair market value before taking possession of property; penalties of 25% of fair market value apply if deposit is less than 10%.

• Imposes 50% fair market value penalties plus potential punitive damages when courts determine eminent domain use was not authorized, with courts required to award property owner attorney's fees if less than 10% of fair market value.

• Mandates that all property taken for right-of-way purposes must maintain the same zoning restrictions and property classification that existed before condemnation.

• Establishes negotiation requirements for water resource districts seeking quick-take easements, including 60-day informal negotiations followed by formal negotiations with written offers and meetings before county commissioner approval is required.

• Applies uniform penalty and zoning preservation requirements across four separate code sections governing eminent domain by airport authorities, municipalities, water resource boards, and irrigation districts.