Eminent domain: appraisals: compensation.

Assembly Member Lackey's proposal to update California's eminent domain compensation framework would raise the maximum reimbursement for independent property appraisals from $5,000 to $8,000 when public entities seek to acquire private property through eminent domain.

Under current law, public entities must offer to pay reasonable costs for property owners to obtain independent appraisals when facing potential eminent domain acquisition. The proposed change maintains existing requirements that appraisals be conducted by state-licensed professionals and that cost reimbursement offers accompany the initial purchase offer. The bill also preserves current definitions of what constitutes a "threat of eminent domain," including formal eminent domain proceedings, adoption of a resolution of necessity, or statements indicating potential use of eminent domain authority.

The measure would apply to all California public entities with eminent domain authority, requiring them to accommodate the higher reimbursement ceiling within existing budgets, as the bill includes no new appropriations. Public entities would need to adjust their property acquisition budgets to account for the $3,000 increase in maximum appraisal cost coverage per case.