II Calendar No. 627 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2811 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 2, 2008 Mr. Coburn introduced the following bill; which was read the first time April 3, 2008 Read the second time and placed on the calendar A BILL To require citizens' approval of Federal Government land grabs.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Taxpayer Property Protection Act of 2008.
2.
Requiring citizen approval of government land grabs
(a)
In general
Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, and the Forest Service, acting individually or in coordination, shall not assume control of any parcel of land located in a State unless the citizens of each political subdivision of the State in which a portion of the parcel of land is located approve the assumption of control by a referendum. (b)
National emergencies
The requirement described in subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a national emergency, as determined by the President. (c)
Private landowners
The requirement described in subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of an exchange between a private landowner and the Federal Government of a parcel of land. (d)
Duration of approval
(1)
In general
With respect to a parcel of land described in subsection (a), the approval of the citizens of each political subdivision in which a portion of the parcel of land is located terminates on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the citizens of each political subdivision approve the control of the parcel of land by the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, or the Forest Service under that subsection. (2)
Renewal of approval
With respect to a parcel of land described in subsection (a), the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, or the Forest Service, as applicable, may renew, by referendum, the approval of the citizens of each political subdivision in which a portion of the parcel of land is located.
April 3, 2008 Read the second time and placed on the calendar