Image Credit: Adelia Kirchner / The Tennessee Conservative
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
The Tennessee Property Rights Protection Act which confronts the issue of eminent domain, passed in the Senate unanimously with a 30-0 vote on Thursday morning.
Senate Bill 480 (SB0480), sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), deletes the current definition of a ‘blighted area” and defines “blighted property” for the purposes of condemnation by housing authorities.
This legislation also clarifies that housing authorities may acquire real property without using eminent domain and authorizes such authorities to pay more than fair market value for properties that are not blighted but are in a blighted area.
SB0480 received yes votes from Republican Senators Paul Bailey, Janice Bowling, Richard Briggs, Rusty Crowe, Todd Gardenhire, Ferrell Haile, Bobby Harshbarger, Tom Hatcher, Joey Hensley, Ed Jackson, Jack Johnson, Adam Lowe, Becky Massey, Mark Pody, Bill Powers, Shane Reeves, Kerry Roberts, Paul Rose, Jessie Seal, Steve Southerland, John Stevens, Brent Taylor, Page Walley, Bo Watson, Ken Yager, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally.
Democrat Senators Raumesh Akbari, Heidi Campbell, Sara Kyle and London Lamar also voted in favor of this legislation.
The corresponding House Bill 444 (HB0444), sponsored by Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2), continues to make its way through the committee process.
For more details about this legislation, what prompted its filing and what it does, check out Tennessee Conservative News’ recent interview with Rep. Hulsey.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. Adelia is The Tennessee Conservative’s on-site reporter for the Tennessee General Assembly. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
