HB 772 -- TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT PROPERTY (Barnett)

The bill requires that if the Department of Transportation
acquires any real property for the purpose of any highway right--
of-way and attempts to divest itself of title, then the person
who was the owner of the property and who held title to the land
immediately prior to the time the department acquired the
property, or the person's heirs, will have the right of first
refusal to repurchase the property at a price not to exceed the
amount which was paid the person for the property.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Cost to State Road Fund* is Unknown for FY
1998, FY 1999, and FY 2000.  *Could exceed $100,000 in any one
year.

HB 772 -- TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT PROPERTY

SPONSOR:  Barnett

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations by a vote of 22 to 0.

The bill requires that if the Department of Transportation
acquires any real property for the purpose of any highway right--
of-way and attempts to divest itself of title, then the person
who was the owner of the property and who held title to the land
immediately prior to the time the department acquired the
property, or the person's heirs, will have the right of first
refusal to repurchase the property at a price not to exceed the
amount which was paid the person for the property.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Cost to State Road Fund* is Unknown for FY
1998, FY 1999, and FY 2000.  *Could exceed $100,000 in any one
year.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that Transportation Commission
policy should not encourage purchasing more property than is
needed for a project.  If, for whatever reason, purchased
property is not used such property should be offered back to the
original owners or heirs at the same price the Transportation
Commission purchased the property.  Supporters say there are too
many indications that the commission is selling such property at
high profits to the disappointment of previous owners.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Barnett.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Research Analyst

HB 772 -- Transportation Department Property

Co-Sponsors:  Barnett, Koller

The bill requires that if the Department of Transportation
acquires any real property for the purpose of any highway right--
of-way and attempts to divest itself of title, then the person
who was the owner of the property and who held title to the land
immediately prior to the time the department acquired the
property, or the person's heirs, will have the right of first
refusal to repurchase the property at a price not to exceed the
amount which was paid the person for the property.