News and Press Releases for June 2006

Back to June 2006 Releases

06/26/2006

Gov. Sanford Signs Eminent Domain Bill

Governor Signs Eminent Domain Study Bill, Praises Passage of Consitutional Amendment

Columbia, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford today traveled to Aiken to sign S.1029, a bill creating an eminent domain study committee, part of eminent domain reforms aimed at protecting South Carolina property owners from government property takings. The bill sets up a study committee to look at which local governments have the ability to take property and the scope of those powers, and will ultimately issue further recommendations for eminent domain reform. The study committee was one of two pieces of eminent domain legislation to pass this year, the other being a constitutional amendment that would prevent governmental property takings for "economic development" unless there is a clearly defined public use - a protection the governor said is incredibly important to defending South Carolina's homeowners.

"A key part to the notion of quality of life is protecting property that people have invested money, work and time into over the course of many years," Gov. Sanford said. "Almost exactly a year ago today the U.S. Supreme Court took a step in the wrong direction when it comes to defending one of our most important constitutional rights, and I want to thank everyone in the House and Senate who worked with us this year to make sure South Carolina's property owners are well protected."

After last year's controversial U.S. Supreme Court decision Kelo v. City of New London, Connecticut illustrated the need for stronger eminent domain protections in our state, Gov. Sanford named eminent domain protection as one of his priority goals for this year's legislative session. He first visited Aiken last December to talk about the issue in the wake of a recently defeated local TIF proposal, after having vetoed the TIF bill earlier last year because of his concern that it expanded eminent domain powers at the expense of private property rights.

Since the Kelo v. City of New London, Connecticut decision, at least 35 other states have begun work on strengthening their eminent domain statutes. Several states are considering constitutional amendments, while the governor of Connecticut - where Kelo originated - has called for a moratorium on cities using their eminent domain powers. Alabama and Texas both called a special legislative session to deal with the issue.