Tomorrow, the North Carolina Senate will be voting (third reading) on a bill, SB 600, that does the following regarding eminent domain:
Before taking land, the government must “include a statement that describes in detail and with information sufficient to demonstrate that there is no prudent and feasible alternative to condemnation of the property..”
In addition, “a jury shall hear and determine whether or not a prudent and feasible alternative exists to condemnation of the property. If a jury determines that a prudent and feasible alternative does exist to condemnation of the property, the court shall dismiss the action and award..”
Sounds great!
There’s a catch. This common sense protection only applies to properties that are encumbered by conservation easements. The property owner has no rights, just the holder of the conservation easement (which may or may not be the property owner).
In other words, this sensible protection is needed to make sure that the government doesn’t disturb some trees but this protection isn’t needed when the government seizes your house, your business, your church, etc.
My recommendation to the Senate (which voted 48-0 in favor of the bill today): I get that you don’t care about citizens, but could you at least treat us equally with grass. I literally want you to treat us the same way you want to treat dirt.
Please amend the bill before the third reading so the bill applies to all property.
