Who has the power of eminent domain?

In Washington, the power of eminent domain is granted to the state government. The Washington state constitution grants the power of eminent domain to the state, which is then delegated to local government entities like counties, cities, and towns. Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use. This can include things such as roads, parks, and schools. When the government exercises its power of eminent domain, it must provide fair compensation to the property owner. In some cases, private entities may also have the power of eminent domain. Utilities and some transportation companies, such as railroads, may have the power to take land for their own use as long as they pay fair compensation to the property owners. The government must follow a strict procedural process when using eminent domain. This includes providing proper notice to the property owner and conducting a hearing to determine whether the proposed taking of the land is reasonable and necessary. The property owner has the right to challenge the taking in court. In Washington, all lawsuits related to the use of eminent domain must be filed in superior court. The court has the power to determine the amount of compensation for the taking and, if necessary, order the government to give the property back to the owner.

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