Amend the bill in section 1 by striking out all of §153-C and inserting the following:

summary

This amendment provides that if the Department of Transportation is preparing an environmental impact statement as required by the federal National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 for permitting for the location of a new bypass highway project, and property will be affected by the limits of the final bypass right-of-way, and the property owner submits a request in writing that the department acquire that portion of property determined necessary for the new bypass highway project, the department is directed to acquire that property if the following 2 conditions are met. First, the department must have received a least environmentally damaging practicable alternative determination from the United States Army Corps of Engineers that will be incorporated into the environmental impact statement for corridor alignment indicating that certain property will be necessary. Secondly, the fair market value must be determined according to current law under the laws governing the State Claims Commission.

The amendment further directs the department to acquire affected properties within 2 years from the date of issuance of the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative determination from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The amendment provides that if funding for the new bypass highway project is not available or if state or federal regulations preclude the department from acquiring real property, the department may extend the time period for acquisition of affected properties up to 2 years. Any extension must be submitted to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters for its review and comment.