Eminent Domain propositions
Californians will consider two competing eminent domain initiatives on the June primary ballot.
The initiatives — Proposition 98 and Proposition 99 — would make it tougher for government agencies to seize a person's home. But that is where the similarities end in what is shaping up to be a multimillion-dollar campaign fight. The attempt to expand protections for property rights is part of a national movement to limit governments' ability to seize land from unwilling sellers.
In California, the choice for voters in June will be whether they want to restrict the ability of government to take property for economic redevelopment projects — and if so, by how much.
Government agencies can seize property for public projects such as schools, roads, libraries and utility rights-of-way. They also can take blighted property. In all cases, government must pay property owners fair market value.