Eminent Domain Bill Passes In Washington State Senate

The Washington State Senate approved a bill that would prevent property from being condemned and then being transferred to an agency of another state. Senate Bill 6125, introduced by state Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, passed in the Senate 25-23 vote and will now be considered by the State House.

The bill reads in its entirety: “No private property shall be taken or damaged for public or private use that is to be transferred for use or possession by a governmental agency of another state. In the event of conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any other act, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.” This is apparently in reaction to a light rail project in which C-Tran would use its power of eminent domain for TriMet.