Thursday, July 13, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Bill to Protect Missouri Farm Families; Property Owners
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today signed legislation aimed at preventing the abuse of eminent domain laws in Missouri.
“The Kelo v New London decision dealt a blow to homeowners and to property rights that I promised would be fixed this year,” Blunt said. “I commend the General Assembly for addressing this issue and crafting a bill that will protect our homeowners, farm families and responsible property owners and help prevent the abuse of Missouri’s eminent domain laws. I called for this important reform and am pleased to sign this bill that I believe has a significant impact on Missourians and their rights.”
House Bill 1944, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hobbs, changes the laws regarding the use of eminent domain. This legislation rejects the findings of the U. S. Supreme Court in Kelo v New London by prohibiting the use of eminent domain solely for economic development purposes. The legislation protects farmers by prohibiting the blighting of farmland for eminent domain purposes.
The bill requires “just compensation” for condemned property to be determined by factors beyond fair market value, such as heritage value. Condemning authorities will now be required to pay relocation costs to individuals who are displaced by eminent domain. The bill also contains a “landowner bill of rights” to help inform property owners about the eminent domain process.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Kelo v New London decision, Blunt formed the Missouri Task Force on Eminent Domain to analyze Missouri’s laws regarding the use of eminent domain and issue recommendations that better protect the rights of property owners when the use of eminent domain is being considered. The governor’s decisive action to protect Missouri property owners and his task force recommendations formed the basis for this important legislation. The bill the governor signed today contained 16 of the 18 recommendations introduced by his Eminent Domain Task Force.
The governor held ceremonial bill signings at stops in Jefferson City, LaPlata, St. Joseph, Webb City and Fair Grove. The actual bill signing date is today. The effective date is August 28.
###