Rep. Larry Springer (D-Kirkland) aims to increase property protection against unfair confiscation of land for the purpose of eminent domain.
“The bill I am sponsoring, House Bill 2423, restricts Community Renewal Act eminent domain authority solely to blighted properties, which pose a threat to public health and safety, while protecting the rights of other nearby property owners,” Springer said.
Springer’s HB 2423 updates outdated rules and regulations that currently allow local governments to appropriate private land from people surrounded by “blighted properties”. The term “blighted properties” essentially refers to properties that are a health or safety hazard due to a wide range of reasons. These determining factors include substantial physical dilapidation, deterioration, defective construction, or illegal activity.
“Eminent domain is an absolutely critical and necessary tool,” Springer said. He stressed that without eminent domain, it’s highly unlikely that many critical transportation structures, sewage treatment plants and other necessities would exist.
HB 2423 helps ensure that eminent domain doesn’t inadvertently affect people whose properties are not blighted. “Eminent domain should not impact the neighbor who is not affected by blighted property,” Springer said.
HB 2423 was referred to the House committee on Local Government & Housing on January 11.
Kudos to Rep. Springer! This is a great bill that is much needed to stop abuse by some cities that have been designating large areas of property as “blighted” and taking them from individual homeonwers to sell to big developers. Just because the US Supreme Court validated the practice in the Kelo v. New London case (and said it was OK for government to take property from one owner and sell it to another just because the new use would generate more tax revenue) doesn’t mean we HAVE to allow it in Washington state. We should all get behind this bill and limit the ways government can take our property against our will.
Thank you Larry Springer !!
This bill (House bill 2423) needs to be supported by all. Please let us know what we can do to help keep private property rights in Washington State. Great Job Larry !!