Eminent domain bill dead

A bill that would have effectively killed a controversial pipeline project in Iowa died last week in Des Moines.

Senate File 2160, which would have gutted the Iowa Utilities Board's (IUB) power to grant eminent domain for projects of private companies, failed to pass out of committee last Thursday. Though it received bipartisan support in the subcommittee and was supported by many landowners across the state, the Commerce Committee canned it during "funnel week," when the Legislature cuts off debate for bills that have not made enough progress to get out of committee.

The Commerce Committee is...