The senator’s EMPOWER Act would oblige governments to negotiate fairly with property owners and would create a federal ombudsmen's office to educate them about their rights and to order disputes into mediation, if necessary.
Although the eminent domain debate is especially relevant in Utah, where the U.S. government owns roughly 70 percent of the land, Hatch is not the only legislator to take exception to the Court's ruling allowing governments to seize property and commercial businesses for the purpose of economic development.
At least five other lawmakers have announced their intent to craft legislation to counter the Court's June 23 decision.
