S.D. gets top grade for eminent domain laws: Sioux Falls SD Argus Leader, 6/16/07

A nonprofit law firm that sues the government in civil liberties cases has given South Dakota a top grade when it comes to protecting people from having their property taken away by government.

According to the Institute for Justice, South Dakota has one of the strongest laws in the nation when it comes to eminent domain.

The Arlington, Va.-based institute said a 2006 South Dakota law prevents cities and counties from seizing private property for transfer to business interests. The law also requires condemned land that is not used for its original purpose within seven years to be offered for sale to the previous owners at market prices.

The Institute for Justice says states that passed the strongest reforms protecting property owners are Florida, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota. States ranking at the bottom were: Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Rhode Island.

---

Sioux Falls SD Argus Leader: http://www.argusleader.com