Orrin Hatch: “let me use part of that. Let me say what the five truths of the bill are. This bill does not affect State or localities…”

“let me use part of that. Let me say what the five truths of the bill are. This bill does not affect State or localities or local rights, and it only applies to real property. No. 2, it does nothing to stop localities from zoning or passing or enforcing environmental measures. No. 3, it does not increase Federal litigation against localities, because the bill does not create new law. And takings cases are expensive to bring. The Congressional Budget Office agrees with that. No. 4, what the bill does is it grants property owners their day in court, which is denied in many cases by local court procedures or by local procedures, which at times are like the Minotaur's Labyrinth. No. 5, currently property owners must litigate on average 9\1/2\ years before they can get a Federal court to reach a decision on the merits. No other constitutional right is treated that way. In fact, in Dolan v. City of Tigard, the Supreme Court said, ``We see no reason why the takings clause of the fifth amendment, as much of a part of the Bill of Rights as the first amendment, or fourth amendment should be delegated to the status of a poor relation.'' We are trying to stop that. This bill will do it. We have had hearings on it time after time over the years. We have added on this substitute four additional matters, mainly to help people who have raised concerns. I hope our colleagues will support us on this motion to proceed.”