Eminent domain; prohibiting taking of private property unless for certain uses. Effective date.

SB 1517 restricts Oklahoma's use of eminent domain by defining "public use" narrowly to include only traditional government purposes like roads, parks, and public utilities - explicitly excluding economic development, tax revenue increases, or job growth as justifications for taking private property. The bill requires governments to resell unused condemned property to the original owner (or heirs) at appraised value before selling it to others, and prohibits local governments from expanding eminent domain powers without new state legislation. It amends existing law to clarify that property taken for a public purpose must be used for that purpose or returned to the original owner, with strict resale procedures. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, and applies to all state and local entities exercising eminent domain authority.