The House Commerce and Energy committee rejected a bill that would require property owner permission for a company to enter to conduct surveying.
House Bill 1079 would have required a 30 days’ notice to survey private property, a siting permit from the PUC, sufficient payment to the landowner and written consent for entry.
Brown County Rep. Scott Moore introduced the bill. He said current surveying law is not being followed and his bill aimed to strengthen landowner rights.
While the bill did not mention any companies or industries by name, its introduction comes amid ongoing tensions between landowners and the developers of a proposed carbon sequestration pipeline. One dispute involving a Brown County farmer ended up in court.
Opponents of the bill argued current law is sufficient and encouraged companies working with landowners to be "good neighbors."
The committee rejected the bill with an eight to four vote.
