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Soucek Advances Bill Restricting Eminent Domain

Release from Sen. Soucek’s office: 

Dan Soucek
Dan Soucek

State Senator Dan Soucek announced today that he is moving forward with legislation to prevent Ashe and Watauga County municipalities from exercising eminent domain outside their borders without the consent of elected officials in the County.

The issue arose from Boone’s use of eminent domain well outside their town limits.  In the Town’s effort to build a water intake plant on the Ashe County border, they are seizing property through eminent domain up to twelve miles outside of Boone.

House Bill 875, a local bill sponsored by Representative Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe) passed out of the House on April 30.  During the months since the bill passed the House, Soucek has been in frequent contact with property owners, as well as Town and County officials in a thus far futile effort to find a non-legislative resolution to the concerns brought forward by property owners.

The bill passed the Rules Committee today and will be heard on the Senate Floor at a date to be determined.