Law No. 488-XIV on expropriation for public needs.

This Law regulates the issues of expropriation regarded as transfer of property and the right of ownership from private ownership to public ownership, or concession of ownership rights to municipal unit or to the state for the purpose of execution of public works after equitable compensation. Objects of expropriation shall be: (a) immovable property such as plots of land, subsoil, waterbodies and forests; (b) right of ownership to flora and fauna. The Act consists of seven Sections divided into 22 articles: (1) general provisions; (2) public utility; (3) arrangements preceding expropriation; (4) judicial proceedings of the expropriation; (5) rights of persons subject to expropriation; (6) particulars of expropriation; and (7) conclusive provisions. Public utility for which expropriation is required shall be: (a) geological exploration and prospecting of subsoil; (b) mining; (c) energy production; (d) sewerage, water and gas supply; (e) constructions for environmental protection; (f) waterworks for water level regulation in rivers and water reservoirs, and also for reduction of flooding; (g) works for the prevention of soil erosion; and (h) plots of land for public housing construction, organization of public parks, storage and burial of waste. Public utility at the national level shall be stated by the Parliament and at the local level by local self-government.