Legislation Cosponsored by Aderholt to Protect Property Rights Clears House

LEGISLATION COSPONSORED BY ADERHOLT TO PROTECT PROPERTY RIGHTS CLEARS HOUSE

"Tax dollars should not be entrusted to local governments that exploit the use of eminent domain by taking property for private use," said Congressman Aderholt.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today announced that the Private Property Rights Protection Act (H.R. 4128), of which he is a cosponsor, passed the House 376 to 38. This legislation prohibits states and localities from receiving any federal economic development funds for a period of two years if such entities abuse their power of eminent domain by taking private property for the private use of others.

"Taking private property from one private entity and giving it to another private entity is not something that was intended by our Founders. I am pleased to see the House vote to use its spending power to deter such action," said Congressman Aderholt.

The Private Property Rights Protection Act does allow for the types of takings that, prior to the Kelo v. City of New London decision, were acknowledged as appropriate. However, the legislation also includes an important sense of Congress acknowledging that "farmland and forest land owners need to have long-term certainty regarding their property rights in order to make the investment decisions to commit land to these uses" and that "ownership rights in rural land are fundamental building blocks for our Nation's agriculture industry, which continues to be one of the most important economic sectors of our country."

"This has been a looming issue since the Supreme Court ruled on Kelo v. City of New London back in June. This legislation should bring security to people who are worried about losing their homes, lands, or churches," added the congressman.

The bill will now be sent to the U.S. Senate for approval.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/al04_aderholt/PR051104.html