Which authority is responsible for regulating the use of eminent domain?

The authority responsible for regulating the use of eminent domain is the State Legislature. Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use, with compensation provided to the property owner. This power is primarily regulated at the state level, as state legislatures enact laws that define how eminent domain can be exercised, the procedures that must be followed, and the compensation requirements for property owners.

State legislation is crucial because eminent domain is not only a legal process but also has constitutional implications. The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution contains a clause that prohibits the taking of private property for public use without just compensation. States have their own laws that further refine how this clause is implemented, allowing them to create specific procedures, limits, and conditions under which eminent domain can be invoked.

Therefore, the state legislature plays a pivotal role in establishing the framework and guidelines for the use of eminent domain, ensuring that it is carried out fairly and justly in accordance with both state and federal law.