Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2015

H.R. 3013, the Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2015, aims to limit the government's power of eminent domain—the process by which the government takes private property for public use. The bill specifically prohibits state and local governments from seizing private property for the purpose of "economic development" (such as transferring land to a private developer to increase tax revenue) if those governments receive federal economic development funds. It also places a total ban on the federal government using eminent domain for economic development purposes.

For everyday citizens, this bill provides increased legal protections for homeowners, small business owners, and tenants against the forced sale of their property to make way for private commercial projects. It allows property owners to sue in federal or state court if they believe their rights have been violated and specifically protects religious and nonprofit organizations from being targeted for seizure based on their tax-exempt status. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Justice to take extra steps to notify and assist low-income or minority residents if a violation of these rules disproportionately affects their communities.