Eminent Domain bill passes committee
“State and local governments would not be able to condemn land for economic development purposes under a bill that cleared the House Judiciary B Committee Wednesday.
The bill contains both legislative language and a constitutional amendment that limits the use of eminent domain powers, under which governments can force landowners to sell their property.
“When you take someone’s property, it’s the only time the government sues somebody without alleging they did anything wrong,” said Rep. Paul “Skip” Stam, R-Wake, who has tried to get a similar measure passed in five prior legislative sessions.
In the 2011-12 session, House lawmakers passed the eminent domain bill, but it stalled in the Senate.
During committee discussion, the bill was not controversial. Democrats, including Rep. Mickey Michaux, D-Durham, said they would back the bill.”
Binker, Mark. WRAL.com 6 February 2013.