2008 California Propositions 98 and 99

The propositions were partly a reaction to the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Kelo v. City of New London, which held that the power of eminent domain can sometimes be used to transfer property from one private owner to another.

[2] Proposition 99 more narrowly prohibited "state and local governments from using eminent domain to acquire an owner-occupied residence [if the owner has occupied the residence for at least one year], as defined, for conveyance to a private person or business entity", subject to some exceptions.

It did not prohibit rent control nor the use of eminent domain for properties other than residences occupied by the owner for over a year.

[3] The nonpartisan California Legislative Analyst's Office (which prepares analyses for the official state voter guide) concluded, "Proposition 99 would not significantly change current government land acquisition practices.

Proposition 98 was co-sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and was also supported by landlord groups.