Effective 28 Aug 2006

523.039. Just compensation for condemned property, amount. — In all condemnation proceedings filed after December 31, 2006, just compensation for condemned property shall be determined under one of the three following subdivisions, whichever yields the highest compensation, as applicable to the particular type of property and taking:

(1) An amount equivalent to the fair market value of such property;

(2) For condemnations that result in a homestead taking, an amount equivalent to the fair market value of such property multiplied by one hundred twenty-five percent; or

(3) For condemnations of property that result in any taking that prevents the owner from utilizing property in substantially the same manner as it was currently being utilized on the day of the taking and involving property owned within the same family for fifty or more years, an amount equivalent to the sum of the fair market value and heritage value. For the purposes of this subdivision, family ownership of property may be established through evidence of ownership by children, grandchildren, siblings, or nephews or nieces of the family member owning the property fifty years prior to the taking; and in addition, may be established through marriage or adoption by such family members. If any entity owns the real property, members of the family shall have an ownership interest in more than fifty percent of the entity in order to be within the family line of ownership for the purposes of this subdivision. The property owner shall have the burden of proving to the commissioners or jury that the property has been owned within the same family for fifty or more years.

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(L. 2006 H.B. 1944)

(2013) Heritage valuation sections do not impermissibly alter constitutional definition of "just compensation", do not confer public funds for private benefit, and do not invade the jury's duty to determine "just compensation". St. Louis County v. River Bend Estates Homeowners' Ass'n., 408 S.W.3d 116 (Mo.banc).