Property rights advocates may have competing proposals on North Dakota's ballot, each intended to curb a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that makes it easier for state and local governments to seize private land.

The Landowners Association of North Dakota intends to circulate a proposed constitutional amendment that would bar the forced sale of private property for economic development projects, said the group's president, Litchville farmer Don Berge.

The amendment's supporters may put the issue to a statewide vote, if they can gather initiative petition signatures from at least 25,668 eligible voters. Berge said the landowners' group, which usually meets monthly in Harvey, has been developing the amendment for six weeks.

Former Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp is drafting a separate constitutional initiative. Two North Dakota legislators, Reps. Tom Brusegaard, R-Gilby, and Bill Devlin, R-Finley, have drafted amendments, which will be examined by an interim legislative study committee.

"This needs to be done right," Brusegaard said. "Unless somebody explains to me the need for immediate action, I don't think there's any harm in waiting until our next legislative session."

The North Dakota Legislature begins its next regular session in January 2007. Lawmakers may put constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot, if approved by the House and Senate.

The hubbub has arisen from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June, which concluded the city of New London, Conn., could compel a group of property owners to sell their homes to make way for a posh waterfront redevelopment.