(By Ian Robinson/The Center Square) –  Louisiana voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to prohibit private entities classified as foreign adversaries or their agents from using eminent domain to take property.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 8 would prevent those entities from exercising eminent domain in Louisiana.

State law already prohibits certain entities tied to foreign adversaries from expropriating property within 50 miles of a military base. The amendment would add a statewide constitutional prohibition.

Eminent domain is the government’s power to take private property for public use, such as building roads, pipelines or other infrastructure, with just compensation paid to the property owner.

The Louisiana Constitution allows private entities authorized by law to expropriate property for a public and necessary purpose, with just compensation paid to the owner.

State law relies on federal designations to define foreign adversaries.

The amendment would not change existing restrictions on property purchases or ownership by foreign adversaries. Instead, it would prevent private entities classified as foreign adversaries or their agents from forcing property owners to sell their land for public projects.

A “yes” vote would add the restriction to the Louisiana Constitution.

A “no” vote would leave existing eminent domain laws unchanged.