Annapolis, MD – February 19, 2026 – RMG partner Harris Eisenstein provided testimony to the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee at the invitation of Senator Chris West in support of Senate Bill 630, Overhead Transmission Lines and Eminent Domain – Property Value – Damages.
In his testimony, Eisenstein, whose practice focuses on eminent domain and related litigation, explained that although Maryland law requires payment of “just compensation,” property owners are typically unable to recover the legal and expert costs necessary to establish fair market value when compensation offers fall short.
SB 630 seeks to address this imbalance by allowing affected property owners to recover not only the market value of property taken, but also reasonable legal, expert, and related fees incurred during condemnation proceedings. Eisenstein noted that the legislation is particularly significant for residents of Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties, who may be affected by the proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a planned high-voltage transmission line that may require the acquisition of property rights through eminent domain.
By expanding the scope of recoverable damages, the bill aims to help ensure that property owners receive truly just compensation when facing the loss of property rights.
Click here to read Harris’ full testimony.
If you have questions about eminent domain, land valuation, or related issues, contact Harris Eisenstein at (410) 727-6600 or heisenstein@rosenbergmartin.com.