ATLANTA - The long-awaited overhaul of government's ability to seize private property began Friday.

With bipartisan support in a 52-0 vote, the state Senate passed a bill that would place a three-month hold on the ability of governments to seize private land unless it is for public road or building projects.

Senate Bill 391, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Chapman, R-Brunswick, attempts to buy legislators time as they work through the various proposals to restrict the use of eminent domain in the state.

The moratorium needs approval from the House and Gov. Sonny Perdue before the temporary shield takes effect.

Lawmakers have said they intend to redefine eminent domain in response to last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing local governments to use the tool for economic development projects by private developers.

"I know we need to take our time because we need it to be meaningful," Mr. Chapman said about examining the state's eminent domain rules. "The pledge that was made is that we'll do everything in our power to protect Georgians and their property, and a moratorium is a start of that process."

Mr. Chapman's bill also is intended to help a Stockbridge florist shop owner who is fighting with city officials who want the property to build a mix of condominiums and retail and government buildings in the area.

"If another Stockbridge springs up in Georgia before we pass legislation, or they lose their property as a result of our inaction, then we would have failed Georgians miserably," Mr. Chapman said.

Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson, R-Savannah, said the moratorium would give legislators time to work through the complicated details of addressing eminent domain, such as what legal definitions should be used to describe blighted property.

"We were hoping that the eminent domain legislation could be introduced and resolved very quickly, and it became pretty apparent that it would take pretty much the whole session to get through both houses," he said.

Democrats and Republicans have introduced proposals to address eminent domain laws.

Mr. Johnson said he thinks a more focused approach could be introduced in the Senate as soon as next week.