House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) has filed legislation for the 2025 legislative session that would expand the prohibitions on the types of Alabama land and property that foreign governments and entities can own.
House Bill 68 (HB68) adds to a provision in a similar bill sponsored by Stadthagen in 2023. The 2023 bill prohibits individuals residing in certain foreign countries, certain foreign governments or governmental entities, and any person, country, or government identified on the sanctions list of the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control from acquiring agricultural and forest property in the state. It also prohibits the same listed entities from acquiring real property within 10 miles of any military installation or critical infrastructure facility in the state.
The 2023 law defines "foreign principal" as a "government, government official, political party, or member of a political party of certain specified countries or any country or government" identified on the sanctions list.
HB68 would expand the definition of "foreign principal" to include an individual or company identified on the sanctions list. It would also expand the 2024 law to ban specific entities from acquiring a leasehold interest in any listed properties in the state.
The 2023 legislation initially singled out China, banning the Chinese government or individuals or entities attached to the Chinese Communist Party from acquiring land in Alabama, highlighting the over 1 million acres of Alabama land owned by foreign countries.
Several Democratic lawmakers opposed the bill, with some saying it would negatively affect the economy by preventing further business expansion from Chinese-owned companies that have already set up shop in the state.
The bill was later amended to broaden the definitions for nations on the sanctions list.
The 2025 legislative session is slated to begin in February.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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