Assembly sends property rights changes to Walker

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The state Assembly on Thursday approved a bill that makes changes to real property rights in the state, sending it to Gov. Scott Walker for a signature.

The bill would, among other things, prohibit counties from imposing development moratoriums, forbid municipalities from blocking property owners’ attempts to sell or transfer their land and bar counties from regulating repairs on structures in shoreland setback areas.

The proposal also would require judges to resolve questions about zoning ordinances in favor of property owners and declare that undeveloped land zoned for residential, commercial or manufacturing would be taxed at 50 percent of its value.

The Assembly passed the bill last week, but the Senate amended it Tuesday to remove a provision on undeveloped land tax language. Assembly lawmakers unanimously approved the change Thursday.

The Associated Press also contributed to this report.