Proposes Constitutional amendment to limit exercise of eminent domain to acquisition of land for essential public purposes.
SCR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit New Jersey governments' use of eminent domain (taking private property for public use) to specific "essential public purposes." It would remove the current authority to take property for "blighted area" redevelopment, while explicitly listing allowed purposes like utility corridors, schools, prisons, waste facilities, health care, and recreation. The amendment would prohibit government from seizing land solely to eliminate blight but would allow tax exemptions for private redevelopment projects under strict profit limits. This change aims to restrict eminent domain powers as defined in the state constitution, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
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No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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