FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, April 13, 2006

Everson Applauds Passage of Eminent Domain Legislation

ATLANTA – In the weeks following the end of the 2006 Session, several pieces of legislation have made their way over to Governor Sonny Perdue’s desk for signing.  One such bill is House Bill 1313, signed into law on April 4th, 2006.  The new law addresses landowner’s rights and protects Georgians from Eminent Domain abuses.

Representative Melvin Everson (R-Snellville) was a strong supporter of the bill throughout its movement in the House.  The legislation requires that any exercise of eminent domain by non-elected housing and development authorities be for public use.  It also states that public benefit via economic development will not constitute a public use.

The new law works to ensure that property owners are afforded stronger due process rights in eminent domain proceedings and places the burden of proof on the government, not the landowner. A provision of the measure grants former owners the right to repurchase condemned land, not used for public purpose, within 5 years.

“Today marks an end to abuse use of eminent domain.  This legislation will protect the very essence of what Americans value and that is the right to private property and for it to be protected from government and non-governmental entities from seizing it through abusive eminent domain practices,” Representative Everson remarked following the signing of the bill by Governor Perdue.

For further information, please contact Rep. Everson’s office at 404-656-0188.

###