InfoHive – Eminent Domain

This week a Texas House Committee discussed foreign ownership of farm and ranch land. Colorado Legislature is also discussing the issue.  “The National Ag Law Center states approximately 24 states specifically forbid or limit nonresident aliens, foreign business entities, or foreign governments from acquiring or owning an interest in private agricultural land within their state’s boundaries.”

Denver Gazette | Committee shows renewed interest in measure to restrict foreign ownership of Colorado agricultural land

Data types are saying that to better understand the housing affordability crisis, more data is needed on eviction rates. Princeton’s Eviction Lab is considered the best eviction data and it shows that 2022’s 3.6 million evictions amount to 7.8 evictions for every 100 renter households.

Governing | Lack of Eviction Data Obscures Extent of the Affordable Housing Crisis

Let’s look at how different places are helping first time home buyers. Ohio worked with local financial institutions to offer high rate interest savings accounts for people who use the funds for home buying. Ohio Home Buyer Plus Program Utah Governor has the state lined up to build 35,000 starter homes by 2028. Utah First Homes’ Program Rochester, Minnesota put $4 million into start home building with its Home Ownership Creation Program.

Washington State will now permit developers to defer sales and use taxes if they convert existing structures, like office buildings, into affordable housing. The Washington State Department of Revenue application can be found here.

The City of Detroit has taken the position that “Owners of abandoned buildings, scrapyards, and parking lots pay very little in property taxes.” And, that building is punished, hence the proposal to tax these uninhabited properties at the rate higher than the current rate thereby reducing the property tax rate for commercial and residential improved property. 

The City of Detroit | The Land Value Tax Plan

A proposal in Nebraska aimed at curbing high property taxes, will eliminate property taxes on your home if you have owned it for 40 years. LB 75 (2024 | NE) , Adopt the Long-Term Owner Homestead Exemption Act.

Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order concerning the removal of homeless encampments in California cities. He says, “This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them — and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same. The state has been hard at work to address this crisis on our streets. There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”

 We’ve talked about the lengthy eminent domain legislative battle over CO2 pipelines in Iowa. In a proceeding concerning these pipelines, the pipeline company referred to the “improper attack” by Republican legislators. Interesting approach to influencing people and making friends.

Des Moines Register | Carbon pipeline builder says Iowa Republican lawmakers engaged in ‘improper attack’

Iowa Capital Dispatch | Summit says Republican lawmakers lobbed ‘improper attack’

The Rand Corporation “found continuing evidence that local encampment cleanup activities don’t appear to lead to a persistent reduction in the number of unsheltered residents in the area.” The return to the same level of unhoused individuals returns within weeks.

Governing | Homeless Camp Cleanups Aren’t a Permanent Solution

Colorado is considering HB24-1239 that would require a single exit for up to a 5 stories. Connecticut’s Governor signed Bill 5524, effective July 1st, that is very similar to Colorado’s limit on the number of exits in multi-family buildings. As building code legislation seeks to lower exit requirements, firefighters are speaking up about the safety issues related to limiting the number of exits in a building.

Route Fifty | This housing fix could help build more homes. But firefighters are sounding the alarm.