State Representative Brooke Boden is in favor of calling a special session of the Iowa Legislature to override Governor Kim Reynolds veto of HF639, known as the Eminent Domain Bill regarding the proposed Carbon Capture Pipeline Project. Boden tells KNIA News she has advocated for passing this bill from the beginning, and the bill limits for-profit companies from taking land from private owners, making companies prove a public interest, allows landowners to speak to the Iowa Utilities Commissions Board, and mandates companies have insurance for damages among other restrictions.

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley made an announcement Tuesday the House gathered the required signatures to call a special session, but will need ⅔ of the Iowa Senate members’ signatures to gather the full legislature for a vote on the veto. HF 639 passed the Iowa House with a bi-partisan vote of 85-10, but the Senate was only a margin of 27-22.

Boden said she is hoping the Iowa Senate will gather the required signatures to force the special session.

“I think that we know there are some interveners on that side that have done their due diligence for the people, and I would like to see the Senate step up and make sure that we are doing our due diligence in finally passing this legislation for our landowners and for property rights in the state of Iowa.’

Governor Reynolds said in her statement of the veto, among other reasons, the bill sets a troubling precedent that threatens Iowa’s energy reliability, economy, and reputation as a place where businesses can invest with confidence.

The pipeline, proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions, would transport carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to underground storage in North Dakota, and would require eminent domain to build on privately owned land throughout the state. Hear more on today’s Let’s Talk Indianola.

https://governor.iowa.gov/media/455/download?inline=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery