Eminent domain hearing delayed

    AUGUSTA — A public hearing before the Judiciary Committee on a bill that would prohibit using eminent domain to acquire property when the entity is involved in a “public-private partnership” has been postponed.
    LD 1168, sponsored by Sen. Paul Davis (R-Sangerville), was on the Judiciary Committee’s agenda for April 30. However, much of the committee’s day was spent hearing testimony on a bill to fund a cold-case law enforcement squad: LD 1121.

    Sen. Linda Valentino of Saco, the primary sponsor of the cold-case bill, wants to add funding for the agency to the state’s biennial budget instead of creating a specific line item for the squad. The committee unanimously recommended passage.
    Davis’ bill was introduced at the request of constituents concerned about the route of the proposed East-West highway, a 220-mile controlled-access road linking the New Brunswick and Quebec borders.
    A work session on LD 1168 is still on the legislative calendar for Tuesday, May 12 at 1 p.m.