In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to prohibit the government from taking land owned by a cemetery or religious institution for the purpose of burial or related operations, regardless of its current use.  This bill is necessary to close a troubling loophole in our eminent domain laws. 
 
In my district, land owned by a cemetery for use as a future burial ground has been targeted for government seizure via eminent domain.  While burial grounds are exempt from government takings under current statute, because the land owned by the cemetery has not yet been used as a burial ground, the government has argued that the taking is permitted under the law. 
 
This interpretation renders the exemption meaningless as it incentivizes preemptive government takings before land is used for burial purposes.  Indeed, the taking of unused cemetery land sets a dangerous precedent and could lead to further encroachments on places of public worship, thereby undermining the statute’s intent.  My legislation will explicitly prohibit government takings of lands owned by cemeteries or religious institutions if such land is owned or reserved for burial purposes. 
 
Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation to safeguard burial grounds and uphold religious and property rights.