Bill > HB446

This bill expands the authority of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) to exercise the power of eminent domain, which is the government's ability to take private property for public use, even if the owner does not wish to sell, provided just compensation is paid. Specifically, the bill allows the VPRA to acquire certain types of property, including lands under water, riparian rights, and oyster bottoms, for rail facilities and related public uses. It also clarifies that the VPRA's acquisition of property for transportation projects, including those funded by bonds or for future improvements, is not subject to the same repurchase requirements as other entities when property is declared surplus. Furthermore, the bill exempts the VPRA from certain local ordinances when acquiring rights-of-way from railroads and allows it to acquire entire tracts of land when only a portion is needed, if the remainder would be unusable or significantly damaged by the acquisition.

Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB446