House Bill 310 would amend the North Carolina Constitution to limit eminent domain takings to public use and require just compensation to be determined by a jury if any party requests one. The bill also places the constitutional amendment before voters at the 2026 general election, with the amendment taking effect only if approved by a majority of voters and applying prospectively to takings after certification.
In addition to the constitutional change, the bill makes conforming revisions to the state’s eminent domain statute, G.S. 40A-3, to align statutory language with the new public-use standard. The bill retains and restates the categories of entities that may exercise eminent domain, including private condemnors such as utilities and pipeline-related entities, local governments, and other public condemnors, while preserving existing authority for acquiring property by purchase, gift, or condemnation for listed purposes. The statutory changes are effective when the bill becomes law and apply to takings occurring on or after that date.
HB310 would affect Article I of the North Carolina Constitution by adding a new section on eminent domain and would require a statewide referendum in 2026 before the constitutional amendment can take effect. If approved, it would strengthen property-rights protections by limiting takings to public use and guaranteeing a jury determination of just compensation upon request. The bill also amends G.S. 40A-3, the core eminent domain statute, to conform terminology and preserve the framework governing who may condemn property and for what purposes, including utilities, municipalities, counties, and other public entities.
No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or recorded support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be a property-rights and eminent-domain reform proposal, which typically draws support from landowners and opponents from entities that rely on condemnation authority. The referral to Judiciary 2 and Housing and Development suggests it was still in the early committee process at the time of the provided status.
The main point of contention is likely the scope of eminent domain power: supporters would favor restricting government and private condemnors to true public use and giving property owners a jury trial right on compensation, while opponents may argue the bill could complicate infrastructure, utility, and local development projects that depend on condemnation authority. Another likely issue is the constitutional referendum itself, since the amendment would require voter approval in 2026 before becoming effective. The bill also preserves condemnation authority for pipelines, utilities, roads, and other listed uses, so disputes may center on whether those uses always qualify as public use under the new constitutional language.