Posted on 04/04/2002 2:56:04 AM PST by Nix 2
THIS is a blatant land grab and control attempt by the Democrats in both the House and Senate to make it easier for federal, state, and local governments to grab off private property to use for their own purposes. If this bill, which is now wending its way yet again through the congress under a cloak of silence, passes, Eminent Domain land use will become a fly's eyelash because there will be NO restrictions on the federal, state, or local governments to prove beyond a doubt that taking anyone's personal propety is a necessity for their purposes.
This is a purely Fascist law designed to deprive US citizens of their right to have and own PRIVATE property.
Please read this bill. Understand it. Take note of its sponsors, and make your voices heard before we are taken over under dark of night
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 27, 2000
Mr. L. CHAFEE (for himself, Mr. BENNETT, Mr. CLELAND, Mr. JEFFORDS, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. LEAHY, and Mr. BAUCUS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To assist States with land use planning in order to promote improved quality of life, regionalism, sustainable economic development, and environmental stewardship, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Community Character Act of 2000'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) inadequate planning at the State level contributes to increased public and private capital costs for infrastructure development, loss of community character , and environmental degradation;
(2) land use planning is rightfully within the jurisdiction of State and local governments;
(3) comprehensive planning and community development should be supported by the Federal Government and State governments;
(4) States should provide a proper climate and context for planning through legislation in order for appropriate comprehensive land use planning and community development to occur;
(5) many States have outdated land use planning legislation, and many States are undertaking efforts to update and reform the legislation; and
(6) efforts to coordinate State resources with local plans require additional planning at the State level.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act :
(1) FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY- The term `Federal land management agency' means the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and any other Federal land management agency that conducts land use planning for Federal land.
(2) LAND USE PLANNING LEGISLATION- The term `land use planning legislation' means a statute, regulation, executive order or other action taken by a State to guide, regulate, and assist in the planning, regulation, and management of land, natural resources, development practices, and other activities related to the pattern and scope of future land use.
(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(4) STATE- The term `State' means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(5) STATE PLANNING DIRECTOR- The term `State planning director' means the State official designated by statute or by the Governor whose principal responsibility is the drafting and updating of State guide plans or guidance documents that regulate land use and infrastructure development on a statewide basis.
SEC. 4. GRANTS TO STATES FOR UPDATING LAND USE PLANNING LEGISLATION AND INTEGRATING FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AND STATE PLANNING.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to States for the purpose of assisting in--
(1) as a first priority, development or revision of land use planning legislation in States that currently have inadequate or outmoded land use planning legislation; and
(2) creation or revision of State comprehensive land use plans or plan elements in States that have updated land use planning legislation.
(b) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), a State shall submit to the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, an application demonstrating that the State's basic goals for land use planning legislation reform are consistent with all of the following guidelines:
(1) CITIZEN REPRESENTATION- Citizens are notified and citizen representation is required in the developing, adopting, and updating of land use plans.
(2) MULTIJURISDICTIONAL COOPERATION- In order to effectively manage the impacts of land development and to provide for resource sustainability, land use plans are created based on multi-jurisdictional governmental cooperation, when practicable, particularly in the case of land use plans based on watershed boundaries.
(3) IMPLEMENTATION ELEMENTS- Land use plans contain an implementation element that--
(A) includes a timetable for action and a definition of the respective roles and responsibilities of agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders;
(B) is consistent with State capital budget objectives; and
(C) provides the framework for decisions relating to the siting of future infrastructure development, including development of utilities and utility distribution systems.
(4) COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING- There is comprehensive planning to encourage land use plans that--
(A) promote sustainable economic development and social equity;
(B) enhance community character ;
(C) coordinate transportation, housing, education, and other infrastructure development;
(D) conserve historic resources, scenic resources, and the environment; and
(E) sustainably manage natural resources.
(5) UPDATING- Land use plans are routinely updated.
(6) STANDARDS- Land use plans reflect an approach that is consistent with established professional planning standards.
(c) USE OF GRANT FUNDS- Grant funds received by a State under subsection (a) shall be used to obtain technical assistance in--
(1) drafting land use planning legislation;
(2) research and development for land use planning programs and requirements relating to the development of State guide plans;
(3) conducting workshops, educating and consulting policy makers, and involving citizens in the planning process; and
(4) integrating State and regional concerns and land use plans with Federal land use plans.
####################################################################################
You are right, this is so horrible it's evil. This must not pass.
My DIL bought me O'Reilly's book for Christmas. She is a new conservative and had mistaken O'Reilly for a conservative until I loaned her the book to read. The book woke up her. Her husband, my older son, is probably more of a conservative than I am. So, they watched O'Reilly every night for about 2 months, and he pointed out the constant areas where O'Reilly is not a conservative. She is now a real Sean fan and switches off of O'Reilly when he starts beating the drums of the other side.
Hopefully Cleland will become a slimey and dirty spot in the ash can of history and loses his reelection chances.
His opponent in Georgia, need to make sure that all people who own property in Georgia understand what Maxie boy is trying to do them as property owners with this bill from hell.
Got your attention didn't it. Anyone who quits his job to write a book must be a lunatic. LOL!!!! : )
Whaaat?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.