§18-1A-72. Contents of complaint; property already subject to public use; easement to cross line of another railroad; map or diagram to accompany complaint.

(a) In addition to other allegations required or permitted by law, the complaint shall:

(1) Designate as a plaintiff each person on whose behalf the property is sought to be taken;

(2) Name as defendants all persons who to the plaintiff's knowledge are owners of or who have or claim any interest in the property sought to be taken; specify the nature of each defendant's interest. Defendants whose names are not known may be included under the designation "unknown claimants" provided reasonable diligence has been used to ascertain the same, and where the interest of the defendant is unknown the complaint may so state;

(3) Contain a legal description of the property and of the interest therein sought to be taken;

(4) Allege the basis of the plaintiff's right to take the property by eminent domain and maintain the action, including (i) a reference to the plaintiff's legal authority to take the property; and (ii) a statement of the purpose for which the property is sought to be taken; and

(5) List all items which the condemnor proposes to acquire and which it deems to be equipment or fixtures attached to or a part of the realty.

(b) If the property sought to be condemned or any portion thereof or interest therein has already been subjected to or devoted to a public use, such land or portion thereof or interest therein shall not be taken for another and different character of public use, unless an actual necessity for the specific land or portion thereof or interest therein shall be alleged and proven and unless it be alleged and proven that such other and different character of public use will not materially interfere with the public use to which such property is already subjected or devoted.

(c) Any corporation, person or association of persons owning a railroad or street railroad in this state and proposing to cross or intersect the line of another railroad or street railroad may acquire an easement for such purpose and to that end may pursue the mode of proceeding prescribed in this chapter.

(d) For purposes of information and notice, the complaint shall be accompanied by a map or diagram portraying the property sought to be taken and the remainder, if any.

(Acts 1985, No. 85-548, p. 802, §403.)