On the opening day of the General Assembly, Republicans in the new majority made good on their promises to tackle two of the state’s biggest property rights issues — involuntary annexation and eminent domain — filing three related bills.

Eminent domain

If passed, House Bill 8 would prohibit governments from taking private property for any reason except public use. The bill clarifies that public use does not include “interest in the property for economic development.”

It states “just compensation” shall be paid for the property and if demanded, shall be determined by a jury.

The bill’s primary sponsors are House Majority Leader Paul “Skip” Stam, R-Wake, Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, and Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson. There are 51 co-sponsors.

Involuntary annexation

House Bill 9 would place a moratorium on all involuntary annexations until July 1, 2012, providing time for the General Assembly to decide whether to outlaw involuntary annexation permanently.

Freshman Rep. Rayne Brown, R-Davidson, one of the bill’s four primary sponsors, was elected in part to help Davidson County residents who are being annexed into the city of Lexington without their consent.

Keith Bost, a leading activist from the area who opposes forced annexation, said the moratorium probably wouldn’t do much to help his golf-course community, Sapona, which currently is engrossed in a legal battle with Lexington.

Because Lexington adopted the annexation ordinance before the moratorium would go into effect, it most likely would be grandfathered in, allowing the annexation to move forward, Bost said.

He said Brown made two promises to Davidson County residents in her campaign — a statewide moratorium bill and a local bill repealing Lexington’s annexation ordinance. He said he’s disappointed that the statewide moratorium is not retroactive, but hopes Brown will introduce a Lexington-focused bill that is.

Lenoir County residents are getting just that in House Bill 5, which would repeal Kinston’s annexation ordinance adopted in 2009.

The bill’s sole sponsor is Rep. Stephen LaRoque, a Republican representing Lenoir County. LaRoque also sponsored the statewide moratorium.

Brown could not be reached for comment.

Sara Burrows is an associate editor of Carolina Journal.