Bill > S37

This bill proposes to amend the North Carolina Constitution to restrict the government's power of eminent domain, which is the authority to take private property for public use, even if the owner does not wish to sell. Specifically, it would prohibit the government from taking private property solely for the purpose of transferring an interest in that property to another private entity for economic development, meaning the property must be for a true public use. The bill also ensures that when private property is taken, the owner will receive "just compensation," which is fair market value for the property, and guarantees the right to have the amount of this compensation determined by a jury if demanded. This proposed constitutional amendment would be put to a vote of the state's qualified voters on November 6, 2012, and would become effective if a majority approves it.