Legislative TREND forecast. Police destroy innocent home. Is there compensation?

What’s happening? In Colorado, an armed gunman broke into a home, took a 9 year old hostage, and after a 17 hour police stand off the police “blew up” the home

So how does the home owner get compensated when a governmental entity, like law enforcement, destroys your home when you committed no crimes? There is no compensation according to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals

What’s special about this? Its like civil asset forfeiture, where both progressives and conservatives agree there’s a problem with taking an innocent person’s property without compensation

Washington Post | Police blew up an innocent man’s house in search of an armed shoplifter. Too bad, court rules

Above the Law | I Want This To Be A ‘Taking,’ Even Though It’s Not

Local TREND. Property Rights + Lead Pipes.

Where: Newark, NJ

What: Newark is replacing old lead water pipes but is encountering unresponsive property owners

How did Newark react? Passing an ordinance that allows the city on private property to replace water pipes without the owner’s consent

What do legislators intend to do when they are back in session? Give cities like Newark legal protection to enter property and replace lead pipes

North Jersey | Lead in NJ water: The murky problem between property rights and replacing pipes

Local Campaign. No eminent domain for blight issues.

Where: Savannah, Georgia

Who: Mayoral Candidate Regina Thomas

What: Property owners who need to fix up their properties shouldn’t have their land taken. There should be programs that assist homeowners to improve their property to city standards.

WTOC | Regina Thomas hopes grassroots movement lands her Savannah mayoral position

Department of Transportation: Memorial for Man who took his life due to Eminent Domain

Where: Vermont

What: in 1964 a farmer barricaded himself on his property and set his property on fire after the property was taken for a highway

How will Vermont’s Department of Transportation memorialize this? It will take public input concerning a permanent memorial 

Times Union | Vermont to remember man who took his life fighting progress

Property Rights Curbing Animal Cruelty

what? Airbnb is rolling out a new “animal experiences”platform

supporters? Animal Advocates and Property Rights Supporters

Policy consideration? The program can bolster animal tourism

How does the platform address animal welfare? By adopting guidelines developed with World Animal Protection

Capital Public Radio | As California Cracks Down on Animal Captivity, Airbnb Offers an Alternative That Advocates Approve

State Law v. Gig Economy. Are short term property managers legal in your state?

Where: Pennsylvania

What is Pennsylvania saying about short term rental property managers? It is a violation of the state’s Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act & the PA Supreme Court will decide.

What did the short term rental property manager do?

  • marketed the properties
  • managed bookings
  • collected payments

Philadelphia Inquirer | Airbnb property manager accused of violating law asks Pa. Supreme Court to weigh in on gig economy

Court blocks Pipeline Eminent Domain. State Agencies Want it to Stay Blocked.

Where: New Jersey

What happened? PennEast Pipeline Company is asking FERC to reverse a court ruling blocking the developer’s $1 billion, 116-mile natural gas pipeline 

What state agencies want FERC to say no?

  • the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission
  • NJ Department of Environmental Protection
  • NJ Board of Public Utilities
  • NJ’s Division of Rate Counsel

NJ Spotlight | Three State Agencies Challenge PennEast’s Effort to Overturn Adverse Court Ruling on Pipeline

Who is this unlikely alliance against eminent domain featured in media 1000s of miles away.

What eminent domain opposition alliance? Opponents to the Permian Basin pipeline through Texas Hill Country

Who is in the alliance?

  • Texas rural landowners
  • environmental groups
  • conservative-leaning municipalities 

KTUU 2 Anchorage | Unlikely alliance fighting pipeline in Texas Hill Country

State Legislation to Allow Eminent Domain for Recreation. 3 Property Owner Opposition Arguments.

Where: Utah

The legislation: Draft amendment 2020FL-0182/013 (2019 | UT)

Property owner opposition arguments:

  • eminent domain is a sharp tool
  • eminent domain is very heavy handed
  • “goes against my belief in private property rights”

What limiting options also failed?

  • limiting the use of eminent domain to large urban areas
  • tax incentives including extending the time to 36 months for reinvestment of any proceeds from an eminent domain purchase

Salt Lake City Tribune | Utah lawmaker floats use of eminent domain for trails but runs into barriers