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State Representative Rod Hamilton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5373
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS RELEASE
HAMILTON SUPPORTS EMINENT DOMAIN LEGISLATION
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House of Representatives has approved legislation that specifically defines when local governments may seize and individual’s land. The process, known as eminent domain, had been expanded following a U.S. Supreme Court decision which allowed governments to take private property for economic development purposes.
“This legislation is about preserving, not abusing, a landowner’s rights,” said State Representative Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake).
The bill gives a specific definition of “public use.” It would limit eminent domain to property that will be owned by the government, used for the functioning of public service corporations – like utilities or railroads, or to remedy blighted, environmentally contaminated or abandoned land.
“Forcing one private citizen to transfer his land to another private citizen in the interest of economic development is bad public policy,” Hamilton said. “These changes to the eminent domain process were necessary. Without them, any landowner could have his home or farm seized if a city council or county board felt like expanding the tax base.”
Hamilton said the Minnesota Senate has approved a similar eminent domain bill, and the differences will be worked out in a House/Senate conference committee.
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