SB480 removes Tennessee’s broad definition of “blighted area” and instead defines “blighted property” case-by-case, based on specific, uncorrected safety or code violations. The bill gives property owners advance notice and time to fix issues before their land can be taken by housing authorities. It also lets those authorities purchase non‑blighted properties (even above market value) without using eminent domain. These changes narrow the scope of when and how government bodies can seize property, strengthen due-process rights, and support negotiated sales for redevelopment.
The Tennessee State Senate passed SB480 on March 6, 2025 by a vote of 30 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill strengthens private-property rights and restores some proper constitutional limits on government power. By eliminating the vague and overly broad definition of "blighted area," SB480 helps prevent abuse of eminent domain—where governments seize land under the guise of redevelopment. Instead, the bill ensures that landowners are given notice and a fair opportunity to address concerns. This reinforces the due-process protections guaranteed by the fifth and 14th Amendments, which prohibit the government from depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property without due process of law and require just compensation for takings.
