House passes bill to strip redevelopment agencies of eminent‑domain power after hours of debate

The Utah House voted to pass HB116, a bill that removes eminent‑domain authority from redevelopment agencies and requires that property acquired through redevelopment be resold at fair market value.

Representative J. Lee Hunter, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would protect homeowners—particularly older long‑time owners—from having property taken for private development. “We need to take away the temptation from local governments to use this kind of power against its own citizenry,” Hunter said during his floor speech, urging colleagues to “represent the people that sent you here, not the redevelopment agencies.”

Opponents argued the change would gut a key local tool for revitalizing blighted areas and could eliminate federal and local financing benefits tied to redevelopment. Representative Jones cited the Neighborhood Development Act enacted last year and the Utah Relocation Act, which he said already provide substantial protections for owners. “If you care about seeing a block like Block 57 downtown turned into a beautiful downtown plaza, then you need to defeat this legislation,” Jones said, warning that without redevelopment tools inner cities could be abandoned.

Lawmakers trading examples described both historic abuses of eminent domain and communities where redevelopment agencies had spurred downtown investment. Representative Buckmire and others urged caution, noting the state and local protections in place and urging the House to give recently enacted reforms time to work.

After extended debate, a call of the House, and several members pressing for closure, the bill passed by a narrow margin: the reading clerk recorded 36 affirmative and 35 negative votes.

Next steps: HB116 will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.