§ 6302. Power to acquire

(a) In order to carry out the purposes set forth in section 6301 of this title, any owner of real property located within this State or of any right or interest in real property located within this State may sell, donate, devise, exchange, or transfer that real property or any right or interest in real property located within this State to a municipality of this State, a State agency, or a qualified organization. A municipality of this State by the action of its legislative body or a State agency may acquire such real property or any right and interest in real property located within this State by purchase with any authorized funds, or by donation, devise, exchange, or transfer, all as herein provided.

(b) For the purposes of this chapter, “real property” includes (without limitation) areas covered by water, areas beneath the surface of the ground, air space, and any buildings, other structures, and other improvements, and “real estate” as the same is defined in 1 V.S.A. § 132.

(c) The General Assembly hereby declares that the acquisition of real property or any right and interest in real property located within this State, for the purposes expressed in section 6301 of this title, constitutes a public use and a public purpose for which public funds may be expended or advanced.

(d) Prior to the acquisition of any right or interest in real property by a State agency, the State agency shall submit a report thereon to the legislative body of the municipality concerned, setting forth the location of the real property, the characteristics of the right or interest to be acquired, and the consideration to be given therefor. (Added 1969, No. 229 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; amended 1983, No. 71, § 1; 1983, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 13, 1984; 1987, No. 76, § 18; 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 43; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 18.)