Opinion ID: 2521667
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Oklahoma State University Board of Regents is a public corporation with the legal authority to acquire and take title to real property through the power of eminent domain/condemnation.

Text: ¶ 14 The inherent power of an entity to take private property for public use is called the power of eminent domain. [20] The power of eminent domain is limited by the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, [21] and art. 2, §§ 23-24 of the Oklahoma Constitution. [22] Section 24 requires that: 1) the private property taken be for public use/public purpose; 2) just compensation be paid to the property owner; and 3) that the determination of the character of the use is a judicial question. [23] Condemnation proceedings [24] do not involve tort claims and are not civil actions at law or suits in equity. Instead, they are the special statutory proceedings for the purpose of ascertaining the compensation to be paid for property to be appropriated. [25] ¶ 15 The power of eminent domain remains dormant until the Legislature, by specific enactment, delineates the manner by which and the entity through which it may be exercised. [26] A governmental body subordinate to the State may not exercise, create, extend, or expand a power of eminent domain in the absence of statutory authority. [27] When such an entity properly employs the power of eminent domain, it acquires an interest in the property ranging from an easement to fee simple title, for which the entity must pay the landowner just compensation. [28] ¶ 16 Pursuant to the Oklahoma Constitution, art. 6, § 31A and 70 O.S. 2001 § 3411, [29] the Regents as a public body corporate possess the power of eminent domain. Oklahoma State University [30] is a public corporation, [31] and it is led by its Board of Regents. [32] The Regents are public officers [33] and their eligibility and terms of appointment are provided by 70 O.S. Supp. 2003 § 3409. [34] Among the Regents' many powers and duties is the authority to acquire and take title to real property through legal proceedings, [35] including the authority to exercise the power of eminent domain/condemnation. [36]