A bill for an act concerning common carriers and including effective date and applicability provisions.

HF 939 clarifies rules for pipeline companies seeking to take private property (via eminent domain) for pipeline projects. It requires pipeline companies to first qualify as a "common carrier" (transporting goods for hire to unaffiliated shippers, not just selling to the carrier itself) before gaining eminent domain rights. For pipeline projects, the agency seeking land must now prove the project serves a "public use" with "clear and convincing evidence" (a higher standard than the previous "preponderance of evidence" requirement). This directly affects pipeline companies seeking land access and property owners, particularly farmers, whose land could be targeted for pipelines. The bill takes effect immediately and applies to condemnation cases filed after enactment.