1. (2)

2. (1) After the owner has been summoned twenty (20) days, the court shall examine the report of the commissioners to determine whether it conforms to the provisions of KRS 416.580. If the report of the commissioners is not in the proper form, the court shall require the commissioners to make such corrections as are necessary. If no answer or other pleading is filed by the owner or owners putting in issue the right of the petitioner to condemn the property or the use and occupation of the property sought to be condemned, the court shall enter an interlocutory judgment which shall contain, in substance:

   1. (a) A finding that the petitioner has the right, under the provisions of KRS 416.540 to 416.670 and other applicable law to condemn the property or the use and occupation of the property;
   2. (b) A finding that the report of the commissioners conforms to the provisions of KRS 416.580;
   3. (c) An authorization to take possession of the property for the purposes and under the conditions and limitations, if any, set forth in the petition upon payment to the owner or to the clerk of the court the amount of the compensation awarded by the commissioners;
   4. (d) Proper provision for the conveyance of the title to the land and material, to the extent condemned, as adjudged therein in the event no exception is taken as provided in KRS 416.620(1); and In cases where only a portion of the property has been condemned, a requirement that the condemnor take appropriate measures to ensure reasonable, direct access to the property for the duration of the on-site work for the project.
   5. (e)
   6. (4)

   7. (3) Any exception from the interlocutory judgment by either party or both parties shall be confined solely to exceptions to the amount of compensation awarded by the commissioners. If the owner has filed an answer or pleading putting in issue the right of the petitioner to condemn the property or use and occupation thereof sought to be condemned, the court shall, without intervention of a jury, proceed immediately to hear and determine whether the petitioner has that right. If the court determines that petitioner has condemnation rights, an interlocutory judgment, as provided for in subsection (2) of this section, shall be entered. If the court determines that petitioner does not have that right, it shall enter a final judgment which shall contain, in substance:

      1. (a) A finding that the report of the commissioners conforms to KRS 416.580;
      2. (b) A finding that the petitioner is not authorized to condemn the property or the use and occupation of the property for the purposes and under the conditions and limitations set forth in the petition, stating the particular ground or grounds on which the petitioner is not so authorized; and
      3. (c) An order dismissing the petition and directing the petitioner to pay all costs.

Effective: April 13, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 112, sec. 5, effective April 13, 2026. -- Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 140, sec. 9.