BILL REQ. #: H-0983.5
State of Washington | 60th Legislature | 2007 Regular Session |
Read first time 02/05/2007. Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
AN ACT Relating to eminent domain; amending RCW 8.25.010, 8.25.020, 35.80A.030, 36.68.010, 47.52.050, 53.25.040, 79.36.330, 80.28.230, and 80.40.030; adding new sections to chapter 8.25 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 8.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 8.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 8.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 8.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 8.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.81 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1 RCW 8.25.010 and 1965 ex.s. c 125 s 1 are each amended to
read as follows:
In all actions for the condemnation of property, or any interest
therein, at least thirty days prior to the date set for trial of such
action the condemnor shall serve on each condemnee who has made an
appearance in the action:
(1) A written statement showing the amount of total just
compensation to be paid in the event of settlement ((on each condemnee
who has made an appearance in the action));
(2) A written statement documenting the condemnor's consideration
of and reasons for rejecting alternatives to the condemnation sought or
to the nature or extent of the condemnation sought, including but not
limited to any reasonable alternative suggested in writing by a
condemnee at least sixty days prior to the date set for trial.
Sec. 2 RCW 8.25.020 and 1999 c 52 s 1 are each amended to read as
follows:
There shall be paid by the condemnor in respect of each parcel of
real property acquired by eminent domain or by consent under threat
thereof, in addition to the fair market value of the property, a sum
equal to the various expenditures actually and reasonably incurred by
those with an interest or interests in said parcel in the process of
evaluating the condemnor's offer to buy the same, but not to exceed ((a
total of seven hundred fifty dollars)) the lesser of one percent of the
value of the parcel as determined by the condemnor's appraisal or five
thousand dollars. Such expenditures may include, but are not limited
to, reasonable fees of appraisers, attorneys, architects, engineers, or
other persons reasonably retained by the condemnee to evaluate the
offer. In the case of multiple interests in a parcel, the division of
such sum shall be determined by the court or by agreement of the
parties.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 8.25 RCW
to read as follows:
When real property is acquired through condemnation or under the
threat of condemnation, the owner of the property may retain an option
to repurchase the property in accordance with this section. If the
owner elects to retain such an option, it shall be a part of the
purchase and sale agreement or other agreement for the transfer of the
property to the acquiring entity. In any condemnation proceeding to
determine just compensation for the taking of property in which the
owner has retained an option to repurchase, the amount of just
compensation to be paid shall be reduced by the value of the repurchase
option. No repurchase option shall be provided if the amount of just
compensation paid by the acquiring entity is not reduced by the value
of the repurchase option.
(1) Any entity seeking to acquire real property through
condemnation or under the threat of condemnation must notify the owner
in writing of the right under this section to retain a repurchase
option. The notice must be given:
(a) In the case of the state or other entity operating under the
procedures of chapter 8.04 RCW, with the notice given under RCW
8.04.020;
(b) In the case of a county or other entity operating under the
procedures of chapter 8.08 RCW, with the notice given under RCW
8.08.030;
(c) In the case of a city, town, or other entity operating under
the procedures of chapter 8.12 RCW, with the summons served under RCW
8.12.070;
(d) In the case of a school district or other entity operating
under the procedures of chapter 8.16 RCW, with the notice given under
RCW 8.16.030;
(e) In the case of a corporation or other entity operating under
the procedures of chapter 8.20 RCW, with the notice given under RCW
8.20.020; and
(f) In the case of any other entity, with the service of process
commencing the action for condemnation.
(2) If, within seven years after the date real property was
transferred to an acquiring entity through or under the threat of
condemnation, the acquiring entity determines that all or a portion of
the property or an interest in the property is no longer necessary for
a public purpose and should be sold, a former owner who elected to
retain a repurchase option may exercise that option in accordance with
this section. "Former owner" means the person or persons from whom the
acquiring entity acquired title or that person's or those persons'
successors or assigns to the property or property interest that is
subject to the repurchase right.
(a) At least ninety days prior to the date on which the acquiring
entity will announce a public process for property disposition or, if
the sale is to be negotiated, at least ninety days prior to the date on
which a purchase and sale agreement or similar document is to be
signed, the acquiring entity shall (i) publish notice of its
determination to sell the property or a portion of the property in a
legal newspaper of general circulation in the area where the property
to be sold is located, (ii) describe generally any easements, other
restrictions, or reserved rights the acquiring entity intends to retain
upon sale, and (iii) mail notice of the determination to the former
owner of the property at the former owner's last known address or to a
forwarding address if that owner has provided the acquiring entity with
a forwarding address.
(b) If the former owner notifies the acquiring entity in writing
within thirty days of the date of notice provided under (a) of this
subsection that the former owner intends to exercise the repurchase
right granted by this section, the acquiring entity shall, unless it
already has a completed current independent appraisal for the property,
immediately arrange for an independent appraisal to determine the fair
market value of the property or portion of property subject to
repurchase, adjusted to reflect the value of any physical changes to
the property, such as improvements or removal of structures. Within
thirty days of receipt of the former owner's notice of intent to
exercise the repurchase right or following the acquiring entity's
receipt of the appraisal, the acquiring entity shall provide the former
owner with a written copy of the appraisal. All costs of appraisal
shall be paid by the acquiring entity. If the former owner does not
provide timely written notice to the acquiring entity of the intent to
exercise a repurchase right, that right is extinguished and the
acquiring entity is relieved of any further obligation under this
section.
(c) Within thirty days of the date the acquiring entity provides a
written copy of the appraisal to the former owner under (b) of this
subsection, the former owner may exercise the repurchase right granted
by this section by delivering to the acquiring entity earnest money or
a deposit in a form determined by the acquiring entity in an amount
equal to five percent of the appraised value, together with a written
promise to pay, within thirty days, the following:
(i) The lesser of (A) the appraised value less the earnest money or
deposit, or (B) an amount equal to the compensation received from the
acquiring entity when the property or portion of property was condemned
or sold under threat of condemnation, with interest accrued at the
market rate, and with the amount adjusted to reflect the value of any
physical changes to the property, such as improvements or removal of
structures, as determined by the independent appraisal, less the
earnest money or deposit; and
(ii) All required fees and costs otherwise required for the
transfer of real property.
(d) Upon receipt of the full payment required in (c) of this
subsection, the acquiring entity shall transfer title to the former
owner, subject to any easements, other restrictions, or reserved rights
retained by the acquiring entity. If the former owner fails to
complete the sale, the earnest money or deposit is forfeited to the
acquiring entity, the former owner's repurchase right is extinguished,
and the acquiring entity is relieved of any further obligation under
this section.
(e) In the event that the acquiring entity and the former owner
cannot agree on the amount of compensation paid for a portion of the
property under (c)(i)(B) of this subsection, the acquiring entity and
the former owner shall each arrange for an independent appraisal of the
just compensation allocation to the portion of the property to be sold.
If the acquiring entity and the former owner cannot then agree on the
amount, either party may initiate a lawsuit to determine the amount, or
they may agree to binding arbitration in which case the appraisals
shall be submitted to a third, independent appraiser. The third
appraiser shall sit as an arbitrator and determine the amount of just
compensation under (c)(i)(B) of this subsection. The arbitrator's
decision shall be final and binding. The acquiring entity and former
owner shall bear their own costs and fees, and pay equally the costs
and fees of the arbitrator.
(3) The acquiring entity may reject a notice of intent under
subsection (2)(b) of this section received from a person claiming to be
a successor or assignee that is not accompanied by evidence sufficient
to demonstrate that the person is the successor or assignee of the
person from whom the acquiring entity acquired title.
(4) The obligations imposed on an acquiring entity in this section
are in addition to any provided by law for the surplusing or sale of
public property to private parties. Nothing in this section precludes
an acquiring entity from retaining the property and determining not to
surplus and sell the property.
Sec. 4 RCW 35.80A.030 and 1989 c 271 s 241 are each amended to
read as follows:
A county, city, or town may dispose of real property acquired
pursuant to this section to private persons only under such reasonable,
competitive procedures as it shall prescribe. The county, city, or
town may accept such proposals as it deems to be in the public interest
and in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter. Thereafter, the
county, city, or town may execute and deliver contracts, deeds, leases,
and other instruments of transfer. This section is subject to and
operates only to the extent its application is not inconsistent with
the operation of section 3 of this act with respect to property
acquired through or under the threat of condemnation.
Sec. 5 RCW 36.68.010 and 1963 c 4 s 36.68.010 are each amended to
read as follows:
Counties may establish park and playground systems for public
recreational purposes and for such purposes shall have the power to
acquire lands, buildings and other facilities by gift, purchase, lease,
devise, bequest and condemnation. A county may lease or sell any park
property, buildings or facilities surplus to its needs, or no longer
suitable for park purposes: PROVIDED, That such park property shall be
subject to the requirements and provisions of notice, hearing, bid or
intergovernmental transfer as provided in chapter 36.34 RCW: PROVIDED
FURTHER, That nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing
any county to sell any property which such county acquired by
condemnation for park or playground or other public recreational
purposes on or after January 1, 1960, until held for five years or more
after such acquisition: PROVIDED FURTHER, That funds acquired from the
lease or sale of any park property, buildings or facilities shall be
placed in the park and recreation fund to be used for capital purposes.
This section is subject to and operates only to the extent its
application is not inconsistent with the operation of section 3 of this
act with respect to property acquired through or under the threat of
condemnation.
Sec. 6 RCW 47.52.050 and 1971 ex.s. c 39 s 1 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) For the purpose of this chapter the highway authorities of the
state, counties and incorporated cities and towns, respectively, or in
cooperation one with the other, may acquire private or public property
and property rights for limited access facilities and service roads,
including rights of access, air, view and light, by gift, devise,
purchase, or condemnation, in the same manner as such authorities are
now or hereafter may be authorized by law to acquire property or
property rights in connection with highways and streets within their
respective jurisdictions. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
(2) of this section all property rights acquired under the provisions
of this chapter shall be in fee simple. In the acquisition of property
or property rights for any limited access facility or portion thereof,
or for any service road in connection therewith, the state, county,
incorporated city and town authority may, in its discretion, acquire an
entire lot, block or tract of land, if by so doing the interest of the
public will be best served, even though said entire lot, block or tract
is not immediately needed for the limited access facility. This
subsection is subject to and operates only to the extent its
application is not inconsistent with the operation of section 3 of this
act with respect to property acquired through or under the threat of
condemnation.
(2) The highway authorities of the state, counties, and
incorporated cities and towns may acquire by gift, devise, purchase, or
condemnation a three dimensional air space corridor in fee simple over
or below the surface of the ground, together with such other property
in fee simple and other property rights as are needed for the
construction and operation of a limited access highway facility, but
only if the acquiring authority finds that the proposal will not:
(a) impair traffic safety on the highway or interfere with the free
flow of traffic; or
(b) permit occupancy or use of the air space above or below the
highway which is hazardous to the operation of the highway.
Sec. 7 RCW 53.25.040 and 1989 c 167 s 1 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) A port commission may, after a public hearing thereon, of which
at least ten days' notice shall be published in a newspaper of general
circulation in the port district, create industrial development
districts within the district and define the boundaries thereof, if it
finds that the creation of the industrial development district is
proper and desirable in establishing and developing a system of harbor
improvements and industrial development in the port district.
(2) The boundaries of an industrial development district created by
subsection (1) of this section may be revised from time to time by
resolution of the port commission, to delete land area therefrom, if
the land area to be deleted was acquired by the port district with its
own funds or by gift or transfer other than pursuant to RCW 53.25.050
or 53.25.060.
As to any land area to be deleted under this subsection that was
acquired or improved by the port district with funds obtained through
RCW 53.36.100, the port district shall deposit funds equal to the fair
market value of the lands and improvements into the fund for future use
described in RCW 53.36.100 and such funds shall be thereafter subject
to RCW 53.36.100. The fair market value of the land and improvements
shall be determined as of the effective date of the port commission
action deleting the land from the industrial development district and
shall be determined by an average of at least two independent
appraisals by professionally designated real estate appraisers as
defined in RCW 74.46.020 or licensed real estate brokers. The funds
shall be deposited into the fund for future use described in RCW
53.36.100 within ninety days of the effective date of the port
commission action deleting the land area from the industrial district.
Land areas deleted from an industrial development district under this
subsection shall not be further subject to the provisions of this
chapter. This subsection shall apply to presently existing and future
industrial development districts. Land areas deleted from an
industrial development district under this subsection that were
included within such district for less than two years, if the port
district acquired the land through condemnation or as a consequence of
threatened condemnation, shall be offered for sale, for cash, at the
appraised price, to the former owner of the property from whom the
district obtained title. Such offer shall be made by certified or
registered letter to the last known address of the former owner. The
letter shall include the appraised price of the property and notice
that the former owner must respond in writing within thirty days or
lose the right to purchase. If this right to purchase is exercised,
the sale shall be closed by midnight of the sixtieth day, including
nonbusiness days, following close of the thirty-day period. This
section is subject to and operates only to the extent its application
is not inconsistent with the operation of section 3 of this act with
respect to property acquired through or under the threat of
condemnation.
Sec. 8 RCW 79.36.330 and 2004 c 199 s 217 are each amended to
read as follows:
In the event the department should determine that the property
interests acquired under the authority of this chapter are no longer
necessary for the purposes for which they were acquired, the department
shall dispose of the same in the following manner, when in the
discretion of the department it is to the best interests of the state
of Washington to do so, except that property purchased with educational
funds or held in trust for educational purposes shall be sold only in
the same manner as are state lands:
(1) Where the state property necessitating the acquisition of
private property interests for access purposes under authority of this
chapter is sold or exchanged, the acquired property interests may be
sold or exchanged as an appurtenance of the state property when it is
determined by the department that sale or exchange of the state
property and acquired property interests as one parcel is in the best
interests of the state.
(2) If the acquired property interests are not sold or exchanged as
provided in subsection (1) of this section, the department shall notify
the person or persons from whom the property interest was acquired,
stating that the property interests are to be sold, and that the person
or persons shall have the right to purchase the same at the appraised
price. The notice shall be given by registered letter or certified
mail, return receipt requested, mailed to the last known address of the
person or persons. If the address of the person or persons is unknown,
the notice shall be published twice in an official newspaper of general
circulation in the county where the lands or a portion thereof is
located. The second notice shall be published not less than ten nor
more than thirty days after the notice is first published. The person
or persons shall have thirty days after receipt of the registered
letter or five days after the last date of publication, as the case may
be, to notify the department, in writing, of their intent to purchase
the offered property interest. The purchaser shall include with his or
her notice of intention to purchase, cash payment, certified check, or
money order in an amount not less than one-third of the appraised
price. No instrument conveying property interests shall issue from the
department until the full price of the property is received by the
department. All costs of publication required under this section shall
be added to the appraised price and collected by the department upon
sale of the property interests.
(3) If the property interests are not sold or exchanged as provided
in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the department shall notify
the owners of land abutting the property interests in the same manner
as provided in subsection (2) of this section and their notice of
intent to purchase shall be given in the manner and in accordance with
the same time limits as are set forth in subsection (2) of this
section. However, if more than one abutting owner gives notice of
intent to purchase the property interests, the department shall
apportion them in relation to the lineal footage bordering each side of
the property interests to be sold, and apportion the costs to the
interested purchasers in relation thereto. Further, no sale is
authorized by this section unless the department is satisfied that the
amounts to be received from the several purchasers will equal or exceed
the appraised price of the entire parcel plus any costs of publishing
notices.
(4) If no sale or exchange is consummated as provided in
subsections (1) through (3) of this section, the department shall sell
the properties in the same manner as state lands are sold.
(5) Any disposal of property interests authorized by this chapter
shall be subject to any existing rights previously granted by the
department.
(6) This section is subject to and operates only to the extent its
application is not inconsistent with the operation of section 3 of this
act with respect to property acquired through or under the threat of
condemnation.
Sec. 9 RCW 80.28.230 and 1961 c 14 s 80.28.230 are each amended
to read as follows:
Any property or interest acquired as provided in RCW 80.28.220
shall be used exclusively for the purposes for which it was acquired:
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That if any such property be sold or otherwise
disposed of by said corporations, such sale or disposition shall be by
public sale or disposition and advertised in the manner of public sales
in the county where such property is located. This section is subject
to and operates only to the extent its application is not inconsistent
with the operation of section 3 of this act with respect to property
acquired through or under the threat of condemnation.
Sec. 10 RCW 80.40.030 and 1963 c 201 s 4 are each amended to read
as follows:
Any natural gas company having received an order under RCW
80.40.040 shall have the right of eminent domain to be exercised in the
manner provided in and subject to the provisions of chapter 8.20 RCW to
acquire for its use for the underground storage of natural gas any
underground reservoir, as well as such other property or interests in
property as may be required to adequately maintain and utilize the
underground reservoir for the underground storage of natural gas,
including easements and rights of way for access to and egress from the
underground storage reservoir. The right of eminent domain granted
hereby shall apply to property or property interests held in private
ownership, provided condemnor has exercised good faith in negotiations
for private sale or lease. No property shall be taken or damaged until
the compensation to be made therefor shall have been ascertained and
paid. Any property or interest therein so acquired by any natural gas
company shall be used exclusively for the purposes for which it was
acquired. Any decree of appropriation hereunder shall define and limit
the rights condemned and shall provide for the reversion of such rights
to the defendant or defendants or their successors in interest upon
abandonment of the underground storage project. Good faith exploration
work or development work relative to the storage reservoir is
conclusive evidence that its use has not been abandoned. The court may
include in such decree such other relevant conditions, covenants and
restrictions as it may deem fair and equitable. This section is
subject to and operates only to the extent its application is not
inconsistent with the operation of section 3 of this act with respect
to property acquired through or under the threat of condemnation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11 A new section is added to chapter 8.04 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) No public entity that is subject to this chapter or that
derives authority from this chapter may take private property solely
for the purpose of economic development.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "economic development" means
the acquisition or use of real property to increase tax revenue, tax
base, employment, or economic health. For the purposes of this
section, "economic development" does not include the acquisition or use
of real property for the primary purpose of:
(a) The transfer of real property to public ownership;
(b) The transfer of real property to a private entity that is a
common carrier, such as a utility or railroad;
(c) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary to remove a threat to public
health or safety;
(d) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the removal of unsanitary
or unsafe conditions, conditions that endanger life or property by fire
or other causes, conditions conducive to ill health, transmission of
disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and crime, hazardous
soils, substances, or materials, or conditions detrimental to or
constituting a menace to the public health, safety, welfare, and morals
in its present condition and use;
(e) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the acquisition of
abandoned property; or
(f) The lease of real property to a private entity that occupies an
area within a public project or facility.
(3) This section does not apply to port districts and does not by
implication increase, decrease, or alter port districts' powers of
eminent domain.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12 A new section is added to chapter 8.08 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) No public entity that is subject to this chapter or that
derives authority from this chapter may take private property solely
for the purpose of economic development.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "economic development" means
the acquisition or use of real property to increase tax revenue, tax
base, employment, or economic health. For the purposes of this
section, "economic development" does not include the acquisition or use
of real property for the primary purpose of:
(a) The transfer of real property to public ownership;
(b) The transfer of real property to a private entity that is a
common carrier, such as a utility or railroad;
(c) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary to remove a threat to public
health or safety;
(d) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the removal of unsanitary
or unsafe conditions, conditions that endanger life or property by fire
or other causes, conditions conducive to ill health, transmission of
disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and crime, hazardous
soils, substances, or materials, or conditions detrimental to or
constituting a menace to the public health, safety, welfare, and morals
in its present condition and use;
(e) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the acquisition of
abandoned property; or
(f) The lease of real property to a private entity that occupies an
area within a public project or facility.
(3) This section does not apply to port districts and does not by
implication increase, decrease, or alter port districts' powers of
eminent domain.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 13 A new section is added to chapter 8.12 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) No public entity that is subject to this chapter or that
derives authority from this chapter may take private property solely
for the purpose of economic development.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "economic development" means
the acquisition or use of real property to increase tax revenue, tax
base, employment, or economic health. For the purposes of this
section, "economic development" does not include the acquisition or use
of real property for the primary purpose of:
(a) The transfer of real property to public ownership;
(b) The transfer of real property to a private entity that is a
common carrier, such as a utility or railroad;
(c) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary to remove a threat to public
health or safety;
(d) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the removal of unsanitary
or unsafe conditions, conditions that endanger life or property by fire
or other causes, conditions conducive to ill health, transmission of
disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and crime, hazardous
soils, substances, or materials, or conditions detrimental to or
constituting a menace to the public health, safety, welfare, and morals
in its present condition and use;
(e) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the acquisition of
abandoned property; or
(f) The lease of real property to a private entity that occupies an
area within a public project or facility.
(3) This section does not apply to port districts and does not by
implication increase, decrease, or alter port districts' powers of
eminent domain.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 14 A new section is added to chapter 8.16 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) No public entity that is subject to this chapter or that
derives authority from this chapter may take private property solely
for the purpose of economic development.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "economic development" means
the acquisition or use of real property to increase tax revenue, tax
base, employment, or economic health. For the purposes of this
section, "economic development" does not include the acquisition or use
of real property for the primary purpose of:
(a) The transfer of real property to public ownership;
(b) The transfer of real property to a private entity that is a
common carrier, such as a utility or railroad;
(c) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary to remove a threat to public
health or safety;
(d) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the removal of unsanitary
or unsafe conditions, conditions that endanger life or property by fire
or other causes, conditions conducive to ill health, transmission of
disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and crime, hazardous
soils, substances, or materials, or conditions detrimental to or
constituting a menace to the public health, safety, welfare, and morals
in its present condition and use;
(e) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the acquisition of
abandoned property; or
(f) The lease of real property to a private entity that occupies an
area within a public project or facility.
(3) This section does not apply to port districts and does not by
implication increase, decrease, or alter port districts' powers of
eminent domain.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 15 A new section is added to chapter 8.20 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) No public entity that is subject to this chapter or that
derives authority from this chapter may take private property solely
for the purpose of economic development.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "economic development" means
the acquisition or use of real property to increase tax revenue, tax
base, employment, or economic health. For the purposes of this
section, "economic development" does not include the acquisition or use
of real property for the primary purpose of:
(a) The transfer of real property to public ownership;
(b) The transfer of real property to a private entity that is a
common carrier, such as a utility or railroad;
(c) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary to remove a threat to public
health or safety;
(d) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the removal of unsanitary
or unsafe conditions, conditions that endanger life or property by fire
or other causes, conditions conducive to ill health, transmission of
disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and crime, hazardous
soils, substances, or materials, or conditions detrimental to or
constituting a menace to the public health, safety, welfare, and morals
in its present condition and use;
(e) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the acquisition of
abandoned property; or
(f) The lease of real property to a private entity that occupies an
area within a public project or facility.
(3) This section does not apply to port districts and does not by
implication increase, decrease, or alter port districts' powers of
eminent domain.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 16 A new section is added to chapter 8.25 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) No public entity may take private property solely for the
purpose of economic development.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "economic development" means
the acquisition or use of real property to increase tax revenue, tax
base, employment, or economic health. For the purposes of this
section, "economic development" does not include the acquisition or use
of real property for the primary purpose of:
(a) The transfer of real property to public ownership;
(b) The transfer of real property to a private entity that is a
common carrier, such as a utility or railroad;
(c) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary to remove a threat to public
health or safety;
(d) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the removal of unsanitary
or unsafe conditions, conditions that endanger life or property by fire
or other causes, conditions conducive to ill health, transmission of
disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and crime, hazardous
soils, substances, or materials, or conditions detrimental to or
constituting a menace to the public health, safety, welfare, and morals
in its present condition and use;
(e) The transfer of real property to a private entity when
acquisition or appropriation is necessary for the acquisition of
abandoned property; or
(f) The lease of real property to a private entity that occupies an
area within a public project or facility.
(3) This section does not apply to port districts and does not by
implication increase, decrease, or alter port districts' powers of
eminent domain.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 17 A new section is added to chapter 35.81 RCW
to read as follows:
Acquisitions of property through the exercise of the power of
eminent domain under this chapter are subject to sections 12 and 13 of
this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 18 (1) Section 2 of this act applies to
condemnation proceedings commenced before the effective date of this
act in which a judgment for damages or decree of appropriation, or
equivalent, has not yet been entered as of the effective date of this
act, and to condemnation proceedings commenced on or after the
effective date of this act.
(2) Sections 1 and 3 through 17 of this act apply to condemnation
proceedings commenced on or after the effective date of this act.