1. (a) The vesting of a railroad's interest under section 10 of this chapter does not divest a valid public utility, communication, cable television, fiber optic, or pipeline easement, license, or legal occupancy if the railroad granted the easement before the date on which the railroad abandoned the right-of-way.

2. (b) This chapter does not deprive a public utility, communication company, cable television company, fiber optic company, or pipeline company of the use of all or part of a right-of-way if, at the time of abandonment, the company:

   1. (1) is occupying and using all or part of the right-of-way for the location and operation of the company's facilities; or
   2. (2) has acquired an interest for use of all or part of the right-of-way.

3. (c) This chapter does not do the following:

   1. (1) Limit the right of the owner of a right-of-way fee to demand compensation from a railroad or a utility for the value of an interest taken and used or occupied after abandonment.

   2. (2) Grant to the owner of a right-of-way fee the right to obtain duplicative compensation from a utility or pipeline company for the value of the use of any portion of the right-of-way that is subject to the terms of an agreement previously entered into between the utility or pipeline company and the owner of the right-of-way fee. For purposes of this subdivision, "pipeline" does not include a coal slurry pipeline.

      [Pre-2002 Recodification Citation: 32-5-12-11.]

As added by P.L.2-2002, SEC.8.