Bill > H6134

This bill amends Rhode Island's eminent domain law to explicitly allow the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to acquire established foot paths through eminent domain, with the primary goal of providing public access to streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. The bill expands the existing legal provisions for eminent domain by adding a specific provision that enables the DEM to not only acquire these foot paths but also allows local community groups to care for and maintain them. Eminent domain is a legal power that permits government entities to acquire private property for public use, typically with fair compensation to the property owner. This modification broadens the existing eminent domain powers, which previously included purposes such as transportation infrastructure, public utilities, and addressing public health and safety concerns. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, giving the DEM a new tool to create and maintain public access to water bodies through existing foot paths.

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