Protecting the Property Rights of the American People

2006-06-28Executive Order 13406
Signed by: George W. Bush
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Headline: Limits Federal Government's Taking of Private Property Rights

What it does: Agencies must follow Attorney General instructions to limit federal takings to public use, ensure just compensation, and provide information for monitoring.

Real World Impact:
  • Restricts taking private property mainly to public projects, not private development.
  • Requires agencies to report and share information with the Attorney General for oversight.
  • Maintains exceptions for public facilities, utilities, emergencies, and abandoned property.
Topics: property rights, government power, federal agencies, public infrastructure

Summary

This order directs that the federal government must protect Americans' private property by limiting when it can take land or property. The government may take property only for public use, must provide just compensation, and cannot do so mainly to benefit private parties.

The Attorney General will issue instructions to agency leaders and monitor agency takings, and agency heads must follow those instructions and provide needed information. The order also lists exceptions, including public facilities, utilities, emergencies, and abandoned property.

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