§402. Authority to expropriate; declaration of taking

            A. When the city of St. George cannot amicably acquire property needed for a public purpose, the city may acquire such property by expropriation and may acquire the property prior to judgment in the trial court fixing the amount of compensation due.

            B. The authority granted by this Part applies to property needed for any street, road, highway, bridge, drainage, stormwater, flood protection, water, utility, sewerage, electric, capital, or any other public project of the city of St. George.

            C. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, expropriation shall be conducted in the same manner as expropriation by the Department of Transportation and Development pursuant to R.S. 48:441 through 460, insofar as those provisions are applicable.

            D. Nothing in this Part authorizes the city of St. George to acquire by declaration of taking any facility, utility plant, servitude, right-of-way, easement, or other immovable property right owned, leased, operated, maintained, or used by a utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Public Service Commission to furnish electric, gas, water, or sewerage service. Nothing in this Part shall affect applicable utility relocation law or any authority existing under R.S. 19:102 or other law.

            Acts 2026, No. 899, §1, eff. Jun. 9, 2026.