In the wake of damning reports that Chinese investors own nearly 385,000 acres of U.S. land, Indiana lawmakers are pushing a bill to stop foreign adversaries from buying up valuable farmland.
House Bill 1183 It would prohibit nationals or affiliates of a “foreign enemy” from purchasing or leasing agricultural land in the state, which the drafters of the proposed bill said would pose a national security problem. Ta.
The bill would also set strict standards for how close “prohibited persons” can own property to military installations.
“This may be the most important bill we have in terms of ensuring the safety of all of Indiana,” said Republican Sen. Gene Rising, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. According to WTHR.
The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Kendell Culp in January, passed the state House of Representatives with unanimous support from both Democrats and Republicans earlier this month and was approved on both sides by the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday. It was done.
The Indiana bill follows the U.S. Department of Commerce’s list of adversaries, which includes Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and China.
Roughly 2.2 percent of Indiana’s land is owned by foreign countries, Culp said.
More than 80 percent of Indiana’s 36,420 square miles are devoted to farms and forests. State Department of Agriculture data shows.
A shocking report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed an even more shocking picture. Of his 1.3 billion acres of farmland in the United States, about 40 million acres are owned by foreign countries.
China alone claims 384,235 acres of American territory, and one Chinese billionaire owns more than half of it.
National security expert Brian Kavenaugh testified before a Senate committee that “Many national security experts, including myself, believe that China is the greatest threat to national security in this generation.” .
“They have done their homework and understand that it is in the best interest of the community to give them the access they want.”
The proposed bill would prohibit “prohibited persons” or corporations from purchasing or leasing agricultural, mineral, or water rights in Indiana.
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It would also prohibit such entities from acquiring property within 10 miles of an armory or military maintenance facility or 80 miles of a military base, an addendum included by the Senate committee. Ta.
To enforce the rule, which takes effect July 1, land buyers must declare in an affidavit that they have no ties to any of the prohibited countries.
There is an exemption for international students attending colleges in Indiana, which allows them to rent real estate while attending classes.
If passed, Indiana would join 24 other states, including Montana, Virginia and Idaho, that have passed laws restricting real estate purchases by Chinese nationals.
