Senate Bill 2237

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 11-27-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT USE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN BY MUNICIPALITIES FOR CERTAIN PRIVATE, NONGOVERNMENTAL PURPOSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 11-27-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

11-27-1. (1) Any person or corporation having the right to condemn private property for public use shall exercise that right as provided in this chapter, except as elsewhere specifically provided under the laws of the State of Mississippi.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other provisions of law to the contrary, property shall not be condemned by any municipality for the purposes of private retail, office, commercial, industrial or residential development, or primarily for enhancement of tax revenue, or for transfer to a person, nongovernmental entity, public-private partnership, corporation or other business entity. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to prohibit the exercise by a municipality of the power of eminent domain for the purpose of constructing, maintaining or operating streets and roadways, government buildings or parks and recreational facilities.

(3) Property condemned by a municipality pursuant to any provision of law, if not used for the purpose or purposes for which it was condemned or for some other public use, that subsequently is determined to be sold shall be offered first for sale to the person or persons from whom the property was condemned, or his or her known or ascertainable heirs or assigns, at the price for which was paid for the property, less such amount, if any, as the person or persons from whom the property was condemned shows by good and sufficient documentation to be the amount of income and transaction taxes, if any, actually paid in connection therewith, and if the offer is not accepted within ninety (90) days from the date it is made, the property may be sold to any other person, but only at public sale pursuant to law after legal notice is given.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.