Although the power of eminent domain is usually used to acquire land, it may also be used by government to acquire other forms of property.
Every state has a statute, or statutes, establishing how the eminent domain power is exercised.
The federal government procedure is established in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The state procedures vary widely in their specifics. In some states, the government is required to negotiate with the property owner before instituting eminent domain proceedings. In other states, the government may institute proceedings without prior notice to the property owner. In recent decades, this term has usually been interpreted broadly to include uses, which are generally beneficial to the public.