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SF0118

Eminent domain-2.

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

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Official record

Sources

Source attached

Official summary

Bill No.: <billno> Drafter: <drafterinit> Bill No.: SF0118 Drafter: DKG LSO No.: 13LSO-0229 Effective Date: 7/1/2013 Enrolled Act No.: SEA0081 Chapter No.: CH0201 Prime Sponsor: Senator Driskill Catch Title: Eminent domain-2. Subject: Modifying provisions relating to eminent domain proceedings. Summary/Major Elements: This act specifies that a condemnor has the burden of proving statutorily prescribed criteria in a condemnation action and that failure to do so shall result in dismissal of the action without prejudice. If a court or jury finds that the fair market value of the property being condemned is more than 115% of the final offer of the condemnor, the condemnor shall reimburse the condemnee for reasonable litigation expenses incurred after the receipt of the final offer. A public entity condemning property is to report to the Attorney General regarding attorneys fees and expenses required to be paid by the entity in condemnation actions. The Attorney General is to report this information annually to the Governor commencing July 31, 2014. Modifies a provision regarding determination of fair market value to specify that the determination may include values paid by both public and private entities. Comments: Report Required public entities must report to the Attorney General and the Attorney General must report to the Governor as noted above.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 12:59 PM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the amendment because allowing a 25% variation in offers would encourage condemnors to make lowball offers without fear of paying attorney's fees.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:08:34 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes Division 2 of the amendment because it allows condemnees to claim increased property values after long negotiations, even if both parties acted in good faith.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:14:27 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes Division 2 because it includes a provision that gives condemnors a pass for failing to meet specific requirements, which he views as a fatal flaw.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:15:35 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports Amendment No. 2 to add a transparency feature that reports on attorney fees paid by public entities in eminent domain proceedings.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:17:28 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports Amendment No. 2 because it reveals how much state funding for highways is being spent on litigation, which he finds shocking and unnecessary.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:18:44 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports Amendment No. 3 because it softens mandatory requirements by giving courts discretion to handle technical errors and consider all material options.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:20:28 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes Amendment No. 3 because it gives courts discretion to ignore the strict requirements adopted in 2007, effectively softening the rules for condemnors.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:22:18 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the concurrence because the House amendments improved the bill by adjusting appraisal thresholds, adding a 'without prejudice' clause to allow case re-filing if dismissed, and requiring reporting of attorney fees to ensure transparency.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:37:54 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the concurrence because he believes the 'without prejudice' language allows powerful entities to repeatedly refile lawsuits against landowners until they are financially exhausted.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:39:37 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the concurrence by arguing that judges have low tolerance for repeated filings on small issues and that the bill does not change existing laws regarding re-filing.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:42:00 Watch the statement

Bill Landen

R · S27

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes it tips the balance too far against public entities and will have negative consequences for state budgeting.

Public statementFloor statement at 17:08 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker urges caution on passing the bill because he believes it will serve as a retirement fund for lawyers rather than solving property issues fairly.

Public statementFloor statement at 18:12 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill to prevent bad operators from using eminent domain to violate landowners, ensuring they make a good-faith effort before legal fees are incurred.

Public statementFloor statement at 20:23 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes it will result in attorneys being paid by other parties, which has not been necessary for over 180 years.

Public statementFloor statement at 22:31 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it corrects an unfair system where companies lowball landowners and absorb legal fees as operating expenses, leaving individuals unable to fight for fair value.

Public statementFloor statement at 26:22 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill as a way to create an even playing field for individuals against large companies that use their resources and lawyers to intimidate landowners into accepting low offers.

Public statementFloor statement at 28:27 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it addresses the unfairness where citizens must pay their own legal fees while partially funding the government's side of the fight.

Public statementFloor statement at 29:57 Watch the statement

Larry Hicks

R · S11

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it levels the playing field against future regulatory takings that occur when information collected during eminent domain proceedings is made public, jeopardizing landowners' livelihoods.

Public statementFloor statement at 31:00 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it protects private property rights for ranchers who cannot afford to defend themselves against condemnation proceedings.

Public statementFloor statement at 33:37 Watch the statement

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

8 roll calls

S Did Concur 20-10-0-0-02013-02-27 · Senate20 yes 10 no
S Reconsidered Non-concurrence 21-9-0-0-02013-02-27 · Senate21 yes 9 no
S Did Not Concur 10-20-0-0-02013-02-26 · Senate10 yes 20 no
H Passed 3rd Reading 35-23-2-0-02013-02-26 · House35 yes 23 no
H05 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 7-2-0-0-02013-02-20 · House7 yes 2 no
S Passed 3rd Reading 17-13-0-0-02013-02-01 · Senate17 yes 13 no
Amendment Failed 9-21-0-0-02013-02-01 · Senate9 yes 21 no
S06 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02013-01-29 · Senate5 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter NumberLSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA No. 0081Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0081House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0081Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA0081LSO
  6. S Did ConcurSenate
  7. S Reconsidered Non-concurrenceSenate
  8. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  9. S Did Not ConcurSenate
  10. S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
  11. H Passed 3rd ReadingHouse
  12. Amendment FailedHouse
  13. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  14. Amendment FailedHouse
  15. H Passed 2nd ReadingHouse
  16. Amendment FailedHouse
  17. Amendment FailedHouse
  18. Amendment FailedHouse
  19. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  20. H Passed CoWHouse

Changes

Amendments

14 stored

SF0118H2001

Filed 2nd reading by MILLER

SF0118H2001.01

Adopted, Corrected 2nd reading by MILLER

SF0118H2001.02

Failed, Corrected 2nd reading by MILLER

SF0118H2002

Failed 2nd reading by STUBSON

SF0118H2003

Failed 2nd reading by STUBSON

SF0118H3001

Failed 3rd reading by ZWONITZ,DN

SF0118H3002

Adopted 3rd reading by THRONE

SF0118H3003

Failed 3rd reading by BURKHART

SF0118HW001

Failed Committee of the Whole by STUBSON

SF0118HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by H05

SF0118S2001

Adopted 2nd reading by DRISKILL

SF0118S3001

Failed 3rd reading by BEBOUT

SF0118S3002

Adopted 3rd reading by DRISKILL

SF0118SS001

Adopted Standing Committee by BURNS