SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2018 SESSION
SB 324 Natural gas companies; right of entry upon property.
Introduced by: John S. Edwards | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Natural gas companies; right of entry upon property. Curtails the ability of a natural gas company to enter upon real property for the purpose of conducting surveys and other tests for its proposed line or the location of facilities. The measure prohibits a natural gas company from entering upon property for such purposes unless the State Corporation Commission (Commission) has issued to it a public use certification, which may be issued only if the Commission finds, among other things, that the company has demonstrated that the pipeline or facility is for a public use. The measure also (i) establishes an expedited procedure for a landowner to seek injunctive relief; (ii) authorizes a landowner to bring a civil action for damages, including liquidated damages of $500 per day per individual entering or attempting to enter property in violation of applicable requirements; (iii) requires a natural gas company to pay treble damages for any actual damages resulting from a lawful entry; (iv) authorizes the landowner or his agent to accompany surveyors and record or photograph survey activities; (v) requires any notice of intent to enter to set forth the time and location where the first entry will occur and the duration of the surveys; and (vi) requires any request for permission to inspect to be sent at least 21 days prior to any notice of intent to enter and include a description of each type of survey and each entity or agent proposed to make such survey.
FULL TEXT
HISTORY
- 01/08/18 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18104702D
- 01/08/18 Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
- 01/15/18 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (12-Y 1-N 1-A)