Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §153-B, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:

2-A. Acquisition price.__When the Department of Transportation acquires property by eminent domain, the department shall pay no less than 110% of the appraised value of the property as determined in accordance with subsection 2.

Sec. 2. Commissioner of Transportation and Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to convene working group. The Commissioner of Transportation and the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall convene a working group to review Maine's eminent domain laws and established procedures for appraising and acquiring property by eminent domain. The working group shall develop recommendations for assisting businesses displaced when the State acquires property by eminent domain. The working group shall consider business promotional assistance, including advertising and relocation notifications, that may reasonably be provided or coordinated by the Department of Economic and Community Development. No later than January 15, 2006, the commissioners shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation and the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development with a summary of the working group's discussions and recommendations. The commissioners shall submit any legislation necessary to implement the recommendations to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Department of Transportation to pay 110% of the appraised value of property taken by eminent domain. It directs the Commissioner of Transportation and the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to convene a working group to develop recommendations to assist businesses that are displaced due to eminent domain acquisitions.