COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford and the General Assembly presented a united front Tuesday in vowing to protect property owners from the government's power of eminent domain.

Both the House and the Senate are considering legislation to limit governments' ability to seize private property after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year in Kelo vs. City of New London (Conn.) that it was a legitimate public use to take land for economic development.

Lawmakers propose amending the state Constitution to limit eminent domain seizures to "public use" and defining public use as requiring "possession, occupation and enjoyment of the condemned property by the public at large or by public agencies."

"I don't want to see development occur at the expense of the rights of property owners," said Rep. Tracy Edge, R-Myrtle Beach.

Other bills would allow property owners to repurchase the land at the condemnation price if it is not used within 10 years and would eliminate certain counties' rights to take and redevelop slum lands.

"South Carolinians will fight you over their children," said Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney. "(And) South Carolinians will fight you over their property."

Mr. Sanford said the state Supreme Court has a strong record of protecting property rights. Subcommittees in the House and the Senate are scheduled to consider the bills today.

Reach Kirsten Singleton at (803) 414-6611 or kirsten.singleton@morris.com.