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Wyoming2010Inactive

SF0058

Limiting Who Can Use Eminent Domain for Power Lines

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill restricts the power of eminent domain for electrical transmission and distribution to specific public utilities and certain interstate cooperatives.

What it does

  • Amends Wyoming law to limit who can use eminent domain for electric power transmission and distribution.
  • Allows only persons meeting the definition of a public utility to exercise this power.
  • Allows cooperative electrical generation and transmission associations operating in interstate commerce to exercise this power if their rates are not regulated by the Wyoming public service commission.
  • Sets an effective date of July 1, 2010.

Who it affects

  • Public utilities as defined by Wyoming law.
  • Cooperative electrical generation and transmission associations operating in interstate commerce.
  • The Wyoming public service commission, which regulates rates for some entities.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill is marked as inactive, meaning it did not pass in the 2010 session.
  • The text does not specify what happens to existing power lines or projects already in progress.
  • The bill does not define the exact compensation process for property owners, only who can initiate the taking.

Plain language

Terms to know

Eminent domain
The power of the government or authorized entities to take private property for public use, usually with compensation.
Public utility
A business that provides essential services like electricity, water, or gas to the public, as defined by specific state laws.
Interstate commerce
Business activities that cross state lines.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 8, 11:50 PM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it clarifies that only regulated utilities and co-ops providing direct service within the state have eminent domain rights, thereby excluding commercial wind merchants who deliver energy out of state.

Public statementFloor statement at 58:00 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

2 roll calls

S Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to SR 7-3(c) 2-3-0-0-02010-03-05 · Senate2 yes 3 no
Yes
2
No
3
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 2

Cale CaseR · S25John C SchifferS22

No 3

Drew A PerkinsS29Grant C LarsonS17Marty A MartinS12
S Introduced and Referred to S03;No Report Prior to COW Cutoff; Intro Vote 29-1-0-0-02010-02-10 · Senate29 yes 1 no
Yes
29
No
1
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 29

Austin "Kit" JenningsS28Bill LandenR · S27Bruce Burns Jr.S21Cale CaseR · S25Chuck TownsendS01Curtis MeierS03Dan DockstaderR · S16Drew A PerkinsS29Eli D BeboutS26Floyd EsquibelS08Gerald E GeisS20Grant C LarsonS17Henry R CoeS18James E Elliott Jr.S11Jim AndersonS02John C SchifferS22John HastertS13John J HinesS23Kathryn L SessionsS07Marty A MartinS12Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24Mike MassieS09Phil A NicholasS10Ray R PetersonS19Rick D HunnicuttS05Saundra MeyerS15Stan CooperS14Tony RossS04Wayne H JohnsonS06

No 1

Charles ScottR · S30

Official activity

Bill history

  1. S Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to SR 7-3(c)Senate
  2. S Introduced and Referred to S03;No Report Prior to COW Cutoff; Intro VoteSenate
  3. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  4. Bill Number AssignedLSO