A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to amend the constitution of north carolina to prohibit eminent domain from being used for economic DEVELOPMENT purposes.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 1 of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding the following new section:
"Sec. 38. Restriction on use of eminent domain.
Neither the State of North Carolina nor any local government or political subdivision may take any property by eminent domain where the purpose of the condemnation is for economic development purposes, including increasing the tax base or increasing the rate or quality of employment in a community."
SECTION 2.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at the statewide general election to be held November 4, 2008, which election shall be conducted under the laws then governing elections in the State. Ballots, voting systems, or both may be used in accordance with Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.  The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be:
"[ ] FOR	[ ] AGAINST
Constitutional amendment to prohibit the State of North Carolina or any local government or political subdivision from taking any property by eminent domain where the purpose of the condemnation is for economic development purposes, including increasing the tax base or increasing the rate or quality of employment in a community."
SECTION 3.  If a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the State Board of Elections shall certify the amendment to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall enroll the amendment so certified among the permanent records of that office. The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act becomes effective January 1, 2009.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.