Chuck Hagel: “America's property owners are increasingly pressured by more and more burdensome government regulations and…”

“America's property owners are increasingly pressured by more and more burdensome government regulations and restrictions. Federal agencies should comply with state and local laws on property rights, and ensure that our Nation's policies are implemented with minimal impact on property owners. Today, I am reintroducing legislation that would help enforce the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of private property rights. The Private Property Rights Act would help protect land owners in two ways. First, the bill would require the Federal Government to conduct an economic impact analysis prior to taking any action that would inhibit or restrict the use of private property. For the first time, the government would be forced to determine in advance how its actions will impact the property owner. Second, when government does take private property or restricts land use, the bill would allow landowners to plead their case in a Federal District Court instead of forcing them to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. This means property owners could appeal any Federal taking of their property in their home state, rather than Washington, D.C.”