House Bill 1696 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Pipeline fight: Bill dies in committee

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A bill put forth by a local legislator – which called for public service corporations attempting to use eminent domain be subject to Virginia's Freedom of Information Act on projects where eminent domain is claimed – died in committee Thursday afternoon, according to a press release.

House Bill 1696 was patroned by Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, and centered around Dominion Power and the company's eminent domain authority for its controversial Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

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Open records push for projects like the Atlantic Coast Pipeline dies in House

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The push to open up records on projects like the Atlantic Coast Pipeline died in the House of Delegates on Thursday.

House Bill 1696 was killed in committee on a near-unanimous voice vote. The bill, introduced by Del. Dickie Bell, would have made public utilities subject to sunshine laws on projects where the company is allowed to exercise eminent domain.

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