SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6810

BYSenators Williams, Talmadge, Moore, Niemi and Rinehart

Providing a definition of "public market."

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990

Senate Staff:Walt Corneille (786-7416)

AS OF JANUARY 30, 1990

BACKGROUND:

A public market is not defined in the laws relating to eminent domain by cities.  Eminent domain laws provide for condemnation proceedings by cities.

First class cities have the power to establish and regulate markets for the purpose of weighing, measuring and inspection of all articles of food and drink that would be offered for sale at the public market.  No other activities are specified in current law as to what a public market's activity can be.  Any city or town has the authority to construct, acquire and operate public markets and cold storage plants for the sale and preservation of certain specified perishable food classes.

SUMMARY:

Added to the definition contained in the eminent domain statute is a definition of "public market."  It is defined so as to include all real or personal property located in a district or area designated by a city as a public market and that is traditionally devoted to providing farmers, crafts vendors, and other merchants retail space.  To be included as part of the public market, property in a district or area does not need to be exclusively or primarily used for traditional public market activities and may include the areas used for public purposes.

A first class city is given the power to establish a "public market."  A city or town's authority to acquire and operate public markets is expanded to include the public market definition added to the condemnation statute.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested