The Texas Legislature has directed the Texas comptroller of public accounts to assemble an online database of entities claiming eminent domain powers in Texas. They recently opened the online reporting form for these entities and expect to have the completed database ready later this year. The database will include contact information for each entity, the…

Donald Trump’s position on the use of eminent domain has once again be raised by his critics. One example they cite is that he used that power to expand his Atlantic City casino over 20 years. Trump had the New Jersey’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority take Vera Coking’s for his project. “Cities have the right…

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) has introduced legislation in the US House seeking to prevent state and local governments from using eminent domain for economic development. The “Private Property Rights Protection Act” would prevent a state or political subdivision of a state from obtaining federal economic funds for two fiscal years if it uses its eminent…

The California legislature in considering legislation seeking to modernize its regulatory system. It has been passed by the State Assembly and the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee and currently is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee. If AB 624 would allow state-certified appraisers to use standards of valuation practice other than the Uniform…