HB 1659 (1998): prohibiting the use of eminent domain powers by public utilities to take private property for the construction and operation of electric generating plants and relative to exemption for electric generation companies from public utility status.
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@misc{bill-1998-hb1659, title = {HB 1659 (1998): prohibiting the use of eminent domain powers by public utilities to take private property for the construction and operation of electric generating plants and relative to exemption for electric generation companies from public utility status.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/1998/hb1659}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }
HB 1659 (1998)
prohibiting the use of eminent domain powers by public utilities to take private property for the construction and operation of electric generating plants and relative to exemption for electric generation companies from public utility status.
- Status: Signed into law
- Term: 1997-1998
- House committee: Science, Technology and Energy
- Senate committee: Economic Development
- Subject: Energy and Utilities
- Chapter law: 253
The Story
It was introduced on January 15, 1998 and referred to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 3, 1998. The committee held work sessions on February 4, 1998 and February 17, 1998. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes, and the minority recommended that the House study it after the session ends, by a vote of 11–5. On March 19, 1998 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 26, 1998 and was referred to the Senate Economic Development committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 7, 1998. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes. On June 4, 1998 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On June 10, 1998 the House voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 18, 1998 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 25, 1998, making it Chapter 253 of the session laws. It took effect on June 25, 1998.
Sponsors
- Rep. Cushing (Rock 22) (prime sponsor)
- Rep. Buckley (Hills 44)
- Sen. Hollingworth (SD23)
Hearings and Sessions
- February 3, 1998, 11:00 AM: hearing, House Science, Technology and Energy, RM304,LOB
- February 4, 1998, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Science, Technology and Energy, RM304,LOB
- February 17, 1998, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Science, Technology and Energy, RM304,LOB
- May 7, 1998, 2:00 PM: hearing, Senate Economic Development, RM103,LOB
Votes
- March 19, 1998, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
- June 4, 1998, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
- June 10, 1998, House: Concur — voice vote, passed
The Docket
- January 15, 1998: INTRODUCED (APPROVED BY RULES) AND REF TO SCIENCE, TECH & EN; HJ10,P415
- January 15, 1998: COPY TO CHAIRMAN ON 01/27/98 DUE ON 02/20/98
- January 28, 1998: (UTIL SUBCOM: REPS BELOW, CUSHING, LAMACH, MACGILLIVRAY, GRASSIE, LYNDE, KAEN, BONNEAU, HOWARD, NORELLI & D WHITE)
- January 28, 1998: UTIL SUBCOM WK SESS (IF NEEDED) FEB05 1:00 RM304,LOB
- January 28, 1998: UTIL SUBCOM WK SESS (IF NEEDED) FEB10 1:00 RM304,LOB
- February 3, 1998: HEARING FEB03 11:00 RM304,LOB FOR: SCIENCE
- February 4, 1998: UTIL SUBCOM WORK SESS FEB04 1:00 RM304,LOB FOR: SCIENCE
- February 17, 1998: UTIL SUBCOM WORK SESS FEB17 10:00 RM304,LOB FOR: SCIENCE
- February 17, 1998: MAJ REPORT OTP/AM FOR MAR05 (VOTE 11-5)
- February 17, 1998: MIN REPORT REF FOR STUDY
- February 17, 1998: PROP MAJ COMM AM<0765>; HC16,P822
- March 5, 1998: MOVED TO MAR12 CALENDAR WITHOUT OBJECTION
- March 12, 1998: MOVED TO MAR19 CALENDAR WITHOUT OBJECTION
- March 19, 1998: COMM AM, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; HJ27,P1305 + 1329
- March 26, 1998: INTRODUCED AND REF TO ECON DEV; SJ8,P190
- May 7, 1998: HEARING MAY07 2:00 RM103,LOB FOR: ECON DEV
- June 1, 1998: COMM REPORT OTP/AM JUN04 (VOTE 6-0)
- June 1, 1998: PROP COMM AM<1953>(NEW TITLE); SC38,P14-15
- June 4, 1998: COMM AM, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; SJ18,P491-492 + 525
- June 10, 1998: HOUSE CONC WITH SEN AM, REP J BRADLEY MA 2/3VV; HJ57,P2158
- June 18, 1998: ENROLLED; HJ60,P2230
- June 18, 1998: ENROLLED; SJ20,P688
- June 25, 1998: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 06/25/98 EFF: 06/25/98* CHAP.0253