State Rep. Gina Johnsen on Tuesday secured House passage of her legislation to prohibit foreign enemies from purchasing or owning Michigan farmland. The bill is part of a larger effort to end foreign influence in Michigan.

“There is something intrinsically American about driving through rural Michigan surrounded by farmland as far as the eye can see,” said Johnsen, R-Portland. “Now, imagine the fear and doubt you’d feel knowing the fields surrounding you were owned by the Chinese or Iranians – countries who want nothing more than to see our democracy collapse. By purchasing Michigan farmland, these bad actors want to steal away our symbol for food security, generations of farming traditions, and American self-reliance. But this isn’t just about property – it’s about power. Allowing our enemies to scoop up our farmland exposes our national security to its core.”

Johnsen’s legislation, House Bill 4233, would bar foreign countries of concern from purchasing or owning Michigan farmland. Foreign countries of concern include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, and any other entity under significant control of the listed countries.

Any foreign principal that currently owns farmland must sell all rights, title, and interest in the land within two years of the legislation taking effect. The plan also requires any foreign-owned land to be registered with the Secretary of State.

Other bills in the package would:

• Prevent foreign entities of concern from collecting sensitive information by blocking prohibited apps on government devices.
• Ensure public schools, colleges, and universities do not accept grants conditioned upon an anti-American agenda from foreign countries of concern.
• 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 personal health information of Michigan residents by ensuring healthcare record technology is physically maintained in the U.S. or Canada.
• Protect the safety of Michiganders by preventing entities of concern from purchasing land near and surveilling military bases and other critical infrastructure.

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