Eminent domain inaction could delay projects

HELENA — As the legislative session winds down to its final days, Montana lawmakers appear to be no closer to taking action on eminent domain than they were at the beginning, opening the possibility that massive utility line projects will be put on hold for another year or more.

How to resolve disputes over eminent domain, which allows the taking of private property for public use, and private property rights has proven challenging to the Republicans who control the Legislature.

The conflict is dividing some Republican lawmakers on how to prioritize between two basic conservative tenants: busi...