InfoHive – Eminent Domain

A bill in Georgia, the Southern state not the country, would require out of state landlords to use Georgia based brokers and have a Georgia based person to handle tenant issues. HB 399 (2025 | GA)

Today, March 21, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear  Bowers v. Oneida County Industrial Development Agency which opens the door to reconsider Kelo v. New London. An amicus brief by the Cato Institute argues that the U.S. Supreme Court “should overrule Kelobecause it is deeply at odds with the text and original meaning of the Public Use Clause and is also marred by other errors.” 

Reason | The Supreme Court Has an Opportunity To Correct Its Kelo Eminent Domain Error

Know what I think of when I think of aging populations? Florida. Legislation in Florida to address housing issues focuses on accessory dwelling units, or granny flats. HB 247 (2025 | FL) would require cities and counties to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas.

NBC Miami | Florida Legislature considers ‘granny flats’ amid housing problems

We’ve talked about Louisiana’s program for funding hurricane resistant roofs. It was more than a few moons ago… but now Louisiana has seen results.  The state’s Fortify Homes Program offers $10,000 grants for homeowners. The program reduced home insurance rates by 22%. 

Governing | Louisiana’s Roof Grant Program Succeeds in Lowering Homeowners Insurance

San Jose, California mayor is proposing a fee on homeless individuals who refuse shelter 3 times within 18 months. The average annual cost per homeless individual to the City of  San Jose is $65,000, which is more than the city’s GDP per capita.

Governing | San Jose Mayor Proposes Penalties for Homeless Residents Who Refuse Shelter

Utah Legislature is moving a bill that would protect businesses that choose to close on religious days, which by the bill’s terms includes every Sunday. The goal is to protect the religious freedom of franchisees. HB 441 (UT | 2025)

Salt Lake Tribune | Utah Legislature OKs bill that could lead to more Sunday business closures

A Republican in Georgia is leading the cause to limit the number homes that a private investor can own in Georgia. The limit? 2,000. Meet HB 555 (2025 | GA), Georgians First Residential Property Protection Act. Why? A Georgia State study found more than 19,000 Atlanta area homes are owned by private investors.

WABE | Republican-led bill would limit investors to 2,000 homes in Georgia

Oklahoma wants to protect property rights by establishing setback requirements for wind turbines. HB 2725 (2025 |OK) is advancing through the Legislature would require turbines to be  “0.25 miles or 2.5 times the turbine’s height, whichever is greater, from “residential dwellings or functional buildings.” Current law also requires a 1.5 nautical miles from hospitals, schools, and airports.

As we’ve talked about the Oklahoma Capitol has seen conservative protests against renewable energy sites.

Oklahoma Voice | House panel advances legislation to establish Oklahoma residential wind turbine setbacks

The Wyoming Legislature passed SF 132 (2025 | WY) that would allow local law enforcement to intervene (probably shoot down drones, if we’re being honest) when they fly over critical infrastructure. The Wyoming Governor vetoed the bill explaining that the bill conflicts with federal law.

This week the Wyoming Legislature overrode the veto, so the local sheriff can use a boomerang and take down a drone.

Should eminent domain not be available to wind and solar projects? HB 475 (2025 | MO) says no eminent domain use for solar and wind, unless you’re building transmission lines.

El Dorado Springs Sun | State House committee hears bill about eminent domain use for solar and wind