State Rep. Gina Johnsen, R-Portland, on Thursday testified before the House Government Operations Committee in support of her plan, House Bill 4233, to ban enemies of the United States from purchasing Michigan farmland. Michigan has seen an increasing number of foreign nationals purchasing large amounts of agricultural land. Through the ownership of farmland, the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries can gain control over economic resources, including food production and employment opportunities.

“This bill is a critical step in safeguarding Michigan’s agricultural lands from foreign entities that could threaten the best interests of our state, our farmers, or our national security,” said Johnsen during her testimony. “Our state’s agricultural industry is a pillar of our economy. My community is an agricultural community. Our farms provide food security, jobs, and economic stability for countless residents. However, there is growing concern about losing our farmland to countries of concern.”

Johnsen’s plan bans foreign principals, including foreign governments or officials, foreign political parties, or other foreign agents from countries of concern from purchasing state land. Foreign countries of concern currently include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria, including any agency of or any other entity under significant control of the countries listed. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), foreign investors owned at least 35.2 million acres of U.S. farmland in 2019.

The plan also requires any foreign principal that already owns Michigan farmland to register with the Secretary of State.

“This bill is not about creating unnecessary barriers or fostering anti-foreign sentiment,” Johnsen said. “We must protect Michigan’s resources and ensure that our agricultural lands remain in the hands of those who are invested in the wellbeing of our state and the nation. We’re prioritizing food security, economic stability, and national security.”

Johnsen’s bill is part of a larger House Republican plan to end foreign influence in Michigan.

Other bills in the package would:

• Prevent foreign entities of concern from collecting sensitive information by blocking prohibited apps on government devices.
• Prohibit public bodies from entering into constraining agreements with foreign countries of concern.
• Ensure public economic incentives are not awarded to foreign entities of concern.
• Protect the privacy of Michiganders by requiring healthcare providers to utilize only electronic health record technology that is physically maintained in the United States or Canada in storing patient medical information.

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