Courts: juries; reference in the uniform condemnation procedures act; amend to reflect repeal. Amends sec. 12 of 1980 PA 87 (MCL 213.62). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4091'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kelly Breen and 14 co-sponsors

The bill guarantees a 6-person jury trial for just compensation in eminent-domain cases, with separate trials per parcel unless justified, starting one year after enactment.

bill electronically reproduced 02/19/2025

#courts:juries

Purpose

HB 4093 would amend Section 12 of the Uniform Condemnation Procedures Act (1980 PA 87; MCL 213.62) to clarify the right to a jury trial on the issue of “just compensation” in eminent‑domain (condemnation) cases, specify jury composition and selection authority, and require separate trials for each condemned parcel unless good cause is shown. The bill includes an effective‑date delay and is tie‑barred to another bill (HB 4091).

Note: The bill filing materials provided include unrelated text from Illinois election and FOIA statutes. This summary focuses on the Michigan Uniform Condemnation Procedures Act amendment language contained in the bill text.

Key provisions

Affirmative right to jury trial: A plaintiff or defendant may demand a trial by jury on the issue of just compensation, pursuant to applicable law and court rules.

Jury size and selection:

The jury for just‑compensation trials is specified to consist of six qualified electors.
Those jurors are to be selected pursuant to chapter 13 of Act No. 236 of 1961 (the Revised Judicature Act of 1961) — i.e., the statutory provisions governing juror selection (MCL 600.1301–600.1376).
Juries are governed by the court rules applicable to civil juries in circuit court.

Separate trials per parcel: Unless good cause is shown otherwise, there must be a separate trial as to just compensation for each parcel taken.

Effective date and contingency:

The amendment would take effect one year after enactment.
The act’s effectiveness is conditional on enactment of House Bill No. 4091 of the same legislative session (tie‑bar).

Who would be affected

Property owners whose land is subject to condemnation (defendants).

Condemning authorities (state, local government units, public utilities, or private entities with condemnation powers).

Circuit courts handling condemnation cases and jurors called for just‑compensation trials.

Attorneys and appraisers who litigate compensation issues.

Procedural and timeline notes

The one‑year delayed effective date gives courts, litigants, and government entities time to adapt procedures and jury‑selection processes.

The tie‑bar means the amendment will not take effect unless the related HB 4091 is also enacted.

The requirement for separate trials per parcel could increase the number of jury trials in multi‑parcel condemnations and affect case scheduling, costs, and time to resolution.

Legislative status and sponsors

Primary sponsor listed: Rep. Daniel Didech (metadata). The Michigan bill text indicates introduction by Rep. Kara Hope (Feb. 19, 2025) and referral to the Judiciary Committee.

Related/companion measures: SB 2552 and SB 2564 are cited as related.

Actions recorded in the provided materials include initial readings and committee referrals (dates vary across the mixed metadata).

Caveat about source materials

The provided bill text includes extraneous material from Illinois legislative language concerning elections and FOIA that appears unrelated to the Michigan Uniform Condemnation Procedures Act. This summary isolates and reflects only the Michigan condemnation‑act amendment language present in the file. If you want, I can produce (1) a plain‑language Q&A about how the change would affect a specific condemnation scenario, or (2) a redline showing the exact statutory text changes.

Bill