AB 1033 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Eminent domain: appraisals: compensation.

Summary

Existing law, the Eminent Domain Law, authorizes a public entity to exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire property for a public use, as specified. Existing law entitles the owner of a property acquired by eminent domain to specified compensation. Existing law requires a public entity to pay reasonable costs, not to exceed $5,000, of an independent appraisal ordered by the owner of a property that the public entity offers to purchase under the threat of eminent domain. This bill would increase the limitation on the reasonable costs of an independent appraisal to $8,000.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Aug 2025

Assembly Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action Aug 29, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

03/28/25 - Amended Assembly → 05/23/25 - Amended Assembly · 3 edits · May 23, 2025

MINOR

AB 1033 was narrowed in scope by removing its amendment to Section 1250.410 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which had dealt with final offers of compensation and litigation expense recovery in eminent domain proceedings. The remaining provision (Section 1263.025) was simplified by removing a $5,000 base reference from subdivision (a) and restructuring the cost cap language in subdivision (b), while keeping the same dollar limits of $8,000 for total acquisitions and $15,000 for partial takings. The bill now also requires fiscal committee review.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed. It previously addressed two topics: (1) appraisal cost limits in eminent domain offers and (2) litigation expense recovery based on final compensation offers. The May 23 version removes the second topic entirely, leaving only the appraisal cost provision.

SCOPE

The entire amendment to Section 1250.410 was deleted. That provision governed final offers of compensation filed before trial in eminent domain cases and allowed defendants to recover litigation expenses if the court found the plaintiff's offer unreasonable and the defendant's demand reasonable.

REQUIREMENT

Section 1263.025(a) no longer references a $5,000 cap on appraisal costs; it now simply requires the public entity to pay 'reasonable costs of an independent appraisal.' The cost limits in subdivision (b) remain $8,000 for total acquisition and $15,000 for partial taking, but the definitional language was restructured.

TECHNICAL

The fiscal committee requirement changed from 'no' to 'yes,' meaning the bill now requires review by the Assembly Fiscal Committee before passage.

Floor votes · Assembly Jun 4, 2025

How they voted

78–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 79

Jun 4, 2025

D Democratic60

59 Yea 1

98% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Aug 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

In committee: Held under submission.

upper

Aug 18, 2025

Committee

In committee: Referred to suspense file.

upper

Jul 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

upper

Jun 18, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on JUD.

upper

Jun 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 2080.)

lower

May 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

lower

May 23, 2025

Introduced

From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).

lower

May 7, 2025

Committee

In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on JUD.

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors