119 . RELIGIOUS LIFE
Our nation was founded on spiritual faith and belief in God . Farm Bureau believes it to be man ’ s inalienable right to worship God , offer prayers , and to read the Bible as God ’ s word in all places , including schoolrooms , perpetuating the principles on which this nation was founded .
Solutions to problems arising from social and economic change involve the recognition of spiritual and moral values . The proper role of the churches and organizations of churches is to provide guidance on the moral and spiritual aspects of social and economic problems , rather than to lobby for or otherwise promote specific governmental actions . West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends legislation to prohibit the removal of God ’ s name from U . S . currency , flag salutes , prayer , oaths , or any other inscriptions whereby we deem the word of God desirable and acceptable .
We recommend the legislature enact a resolution to support the above .
120 . PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports legislation that would assure that no person may be deprived of the use of private property without due process of law and that no private property be taken or damaged by governmental action through regulatory authority . Any regulations that could infringe upon private property rights should not be implemented without thorough public review and an opportunity for appeal . Landowners should be fully compensated for direct takings of their property by a government entity and for the loss of use of their property as a result of government-invoked regulations .
We urge a review of all state and local regulations that encroach on the rights of property owners .
Farm Bureau supports a legislative reevaluation of the tax increment finance law and accompanying regulations to ensure that individual private property rights are not violated .
Acquisitions of easements on private lands , other than by willing negotiation or by eminent domain , are in direct violation of the fifth amendment of the United States Constitution . Regulatory Taking The acquisition of partial interests and control of lands , through rules and regulations deprives the present and future owners of traditional and inherent rights of land ownership - being able to utilize private land for its highest and best use . When the taking of land or land use becomes necessary for public purposes , long-term leases or eminent domain should be utilized . Public Utility Companies Public Utility Companies should be limited in exercise of the right of eminent domain to cases in which the necessity of taking of private property must be shown with notice and right of hearing within the affected area by any property owner affected before the Public Service Commission . Eminent domain should not be exercised when a more direct and economical route could be used through public lands or along borders of crop fields .
We recommend that the utility companies be required to negotiate with the landowner regarding pole and line , especially high voltage line placement and / or relocation , and provide just compensation for damages , tax relief , restricted use , inconvenience , and on-going liability due to their presence . The recording of a plat by a private landowner showing rights-of-way for ingress and egress shall not constitute the dedication of rights-of-way for public utility companies .
Utility companies should notify landowners prior to entering upon an executed agreement , other than in a case of an emergency , for clearing rights-ofways and other work . Any brush or other vegetation cut away and any land-disturbing activities must be reclaimed in such a way that is acceptable to the landowner and is in accordance with best management practices . The discontinuance or abandonment of utility services and discontinuance of utility lines , wire , rails , or pipes , shall constitute abandonment and forfeiture of such rights-of-way encumbrance on fee owner should be removed . If the parcel of land is not used for the purpose intended after two years , it shall be deemed excess and the encumbrance shall be dissolved within one year . Satellite and Drone Surveillance WVFB opposes satellite and drone surveillance without written permission from the landowner .
121 . EMINENT DOMAIN
When the taking of land becomes necessary for public use , the landowner should receive more than adequate compensation based on the current market
30 West Virginia Farm Bureau News