State Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) introduced legislation on Wednesday that would prohibit foreign entities of concern from acquiring agricultural land or property within 20 miles of critical infrastructure in Michigan. Meerman’s House Bill 4234 would apply to the government or political party of, a business located in, or a person whose primary citizenship is in any of the following foreign countries of concern:

• The People’s Republic of China
• The Russian Federation
• The Islamic Republic of Iran
• The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
• The Republic of Cuba
• The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
• The Syrian Arab Republic

“One of China’s most frequently used methods to increase their influence on our country is buying up farmland and placing spies near our military installations,” Meerman said. “Just last year, five Chinese nationals were charged for illegally observing and taking pictures of Camp Grayling, where Taiwanese troops were participating in a training exercise alongside our armed forces. The state of Michigan can and should take measures to prevent this kind of conduct, and my legislation is an effective step towards doing that.”

House Bill 4234 is a part of a larger bill package similar to a set of policy proposals that were also introduced last term, when Meerman alongside State Rep. Will Bruck spearheaded the effort to bring awareness to the issue of subnational foreign influence. As the Chair and Vice Chair respectively of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Homeland Security and Foreign Influence this term, Bruck and Meerman are leading the effort to accomplish meaningful policy work on the foreign influence issue. The legislative package includes bills that prohibit certain foreign applications on government-issued devices, prohibit governmental bodies or education institutions from entering constraining contracts with foreign countries of concern, and prohibit government use of technology manufactured by foreign entities of concern.

“The Chinese Communist Party itself has admitted that their increased effort to spread their influence is occurring mostly at a subnational level, focusing on state and local institutions,” Meerman said. “This state-level threat demands a state-level response. I am looking forward to getting our many important policy solutions to this issue passed through the House, including my own bill to prevent the CCP from getting more valuable property in our state.”