Missoula County opposes SB 287, Revise property laws, heard Friday in Senate Judiciary. This bill would expand the statutory definitions of property to include government-issued licenses and would increase the possibility of individuals bringing takings claims against government entities, at the expense of taxpayers at large. Current case law already sufficiently protects private property interests, and this bill could have a wide range of unintended consequences. For example, transferring a liquor license requires a range of approvals before the new owner takes possession of it. This bill would essentially prohibit those checks because the government could be on the hook for the cost of any perceived delays in the transfer.
Senator Olsen,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes SB 287, Revise property laws, heard Friday in Senate Judiciary. This bill would expand the statutory definitions of property to include government-issued licenses and would increase the possibility of individuals bringing takings claims against government entities, at the expense of taxpayers at large. Current case law already sufficiently protects private property interests, and this bill could have a wide range of unintended consequences. For example, transferring a liquor license requires a range of approvals before the new owner takes possession of it. This bill would essentially prohibit those checks because the government could be on the hook for the cost of any perceived delays in the transfer.
Please oppose SB 287.