HELENA – Gov. Brian Schweitzer says he wants the Legislature to add an expiration date to an eminent domain bill just passed.
Schweitzer says the bill should expire in 2013 and be a temporary fix to help specific utilities and prevent thousands of jobs from being lost.
He says he wants lawmakers in the next legislative session to work up a new solution that also increases property rights.
Schweitzer says he will issue an amendatory veto instructing lawmakers to add the sunset clause to House Bill 198. The Legislature will have to vote on whether to accept the recommendation.
The bill aims to give utilities the power to take private land for public use.
The state Senate gave final approval to the bill Wednesday on a 28-22 vote.
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