Immunity for drug overdose reporting.

2025 Regular Session

SF 74 repeals the statutory right for pipeline survey access to private land, removing written-notice entry for hazardous liquid pipeline projects.

Assigned Chapter Number 123

Bill at a glance

Bill Number: SF 74

Title: A bill for an act repealing provisions for land surveys in connection with hazardous liquid pipeline construction projects and including effective date provisions.

Status: Subcommittee with members Webster, Blake, and Sweeney.

Introduced: January 21, 2025

Referred to: Commerce (initial referral).

Subject: Construction work, eminent domain, hazardous liquid pipelines, land surveying, pipelines, real property, surveying, utilities.

Purpose and intent

SF 74 repeals the statutory provisions that previously allowed a pipeline company to enter private land for surveying purposes connected with hazardous liquid pipeline projects, and to notify landowners in writing (10 days in advance). The bill does not replace this authority with another mechanism; rather, it removes the specific statutory entry-right for surveying.

Key provisions

Sec. 1 (Repeal): Repeals Section 479B.15 of Code 2025, eliminating the statutory framework that governed entry for land surveys related to hazardous liquid pipelines.

Sec. 2 (Effective date): The Act takes effect upon enactment, i.e., immediately once enacted.

Sec. 3 (Explanation): Clarifies that the accompanying explanation does not reflect official agreement with its substance by all General Assembly members.

Overall effect: The specific statutory right for a pipeline company to enter private land for surveying (with prior written notice) would be removed.

Who is affected

Pipeline companies that undertake construction or planning for hazardous liquid pipelines, as they lose the statutory mechanism to enter land for surveying under Section 479B.15.

Private landowners who previously could be subject to a statutory entry for surveying, potentially increasing landowner control over access for surveying.

Surveying professionals and utilities involved in pipeline-related land surveying, who may rely on statutory authorization for access.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: January 21, 2025.

Subcommittee action: January 22, 2025 (Webster, Blake, Sweeney).

Next steps: As a repeal measure, potential paths include further committee consideration, floor debate, and potential enactment. The immediate effect is stated to be upon enactment, which could impact ongoing or planned projects if enacted during a project timeline.

Potential impact and considerations

The repeal removes a formal statutory right for entry for surveying by pipeline interests.

Landowners may have greater leverage or alternative avenues for permitting access to their land for surveying.

Pipeline projects may face increased planning or negotiation requirements, or rely on other statutory authorities (if any exist) or private consent. The bill does not specify replacement procedures or new processes for surveying access.

Because the effective date is immediate upon enactment, any enacted repeal would apply to all relevant surveying activities going forward from enactment.

Bill