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AB-1033 • 2026

Eminent domain: appraisals: compensation.

Eminent domain: appraisals: compensation.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Lackey
Last action
2025-08-29
Official status
In committee: Held under submission.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the bill will handle cases where appraisal costs exceed the new limits or its impact on existing eminent domain threats.

Eminent Domain: Appraisals and Compensation

This law changes the maximum amount a public entity must pay for an independent property appraisal when it wants to take private land, increasing it from $5,000 to $8,000 for total acquisition and up to $15,000 for partial takings.

What This Bill Does

  • Increases the maximum amount a public entity must pay for an independent property appraisal from $5,000 to $8,000 if they want to take all of someone's property.
  • Sets a new limit of up to $15,000 for appraisals when only part of someone’s property is taken by the government.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Property owners who face eminent domain actions from public entities.
  • Public entities that want to take private land for public use.

Terms To Know

Eminent Domain
The power of the government to take private property for public use, with compensation to the owner.
Appraisal
An estimate of a property's value made by a professional appraiser.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if an appraisal costs more than the new limits set.
  • It is unclear how this change will affect current cases where eminent domain has already been threatened but not finalized.

Bill History

  1. 2025-08-29 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  2. 2025-08-18 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Referred to suspense file.

  3. 2025-07-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  4. 2025-06-18 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on JUD.

  5. 2025-06-05 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  6. 2025-06-04 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 2080.)

  7. 2025-05-27 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  8. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

  9. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).

  10. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)

  11. 2025-05-07 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  12. 2025-04-22 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  13. 2025-04-01 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  14. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.

  15. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on JUD.

  16. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  17. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1033, as amended, Lackey.
Eminent domain: appraisals: compensation.
Existing law, the Eminent Domain Law, authorizes a public entity to exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire property for a public use, as specified. Existing law entitles the owner of a property acquired by eminent domain to specified compensation. Existing law requires a public entity to pay reasonable costs, not to exceed $5,000, of an independent appraisal ordered by the owner of a property that the public entity offers to purchase under the threat of eminent domain.
This bill would
instead require a public entity to pay reasonable costs of the independent appraisal described above, not to exceed $8,000 for a total acquisition of the property, and not to exceed $15,000 for a partial taking of the property.
increase the limitation on the reasonable costs of an independent appraisal to $8,000.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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