Lima Reporter

State Representatives Angie King and Roy Klopfenstein have introduced a new legislative measure aimed at safeguarding Ohio's land sales from foreign adversarial nations. The proposed legislation, known as the Ohio Property Protection Act, seeks to prevent businesses owned or controlled by such nations from purchasing land within 25 miles of critical infrastructure and military installations in Ohio.

"We are already seeing foreign adversaries trying to move into Ohio," stated Representative King. She cited an example involving Fufeng USA, a Chinese-based company that attempted to buy land in Paulding County, Ohio. This same company also tried to acquire property near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, but the sale was blocked due to national security concerns raised by the assistant secretary of the Air Force.

Ohio currently has regulations limiting the sale of agricultural land to foreign entities. The new act aims to extend these protections to non-agricultural lands within proximity to vital infrastructure and military sites.

The proposed legislation is pending assignment to a House committee for further consideration.