Legislation moved this week involving land trusts, downtown relocation, and eminent domain. Here are the details…

In the Senate

Land Trust Reimbursements: Senate Bill 940 (Waugh-R-York) which would set aside up to $200,000 per year from the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund to reimburse Land Trusts for expenses incurred in acquiring agricultural conservation easements was referred to Senate Appropriations.

Downtown Relocation: The Senate Community and Economic Development Committee reported out House Bill 218 (Reed-R-Indiana) making changes to the Downtown Relocation Act and then referred the bill to Senate Appropriations.

Eminent Domain: The Senate Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 881 (Piccola-R-Dauphin) amending the Eminent Domain Code to respond to the Supreme Court’s Kelo decision. Providing comments were Sen. Piccola, the Institute for Justice, National Federation of Independent Businesses, PA Builders Association, PA League of Cities and Municipalities, PA Association of Redevelopment Authorities, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, State Grange, Farm Bureau and Commonwealth Foundation.

NewsClips: State Ponders Curbs on Government Taking of Property

Editorial: Eminent Domain

In the House

Eminent Domain: House Bill 2019 (Grell-R-Cumberland) (as amended) and House Bill 2054 (Grell-R-Cumberland) amending the Eminent Domain Code to deal with Kelo Supreme Court decision on eminent domain were reported from House Judiciary Committee.

10/28/2005