A bill proposed by Ohio lawmakers could prohibit some green card holders from certain countries from purchasing land across the state. The bill adheres to America First policy, Ohio state representative Angel King (R), one of the sponsors of the bill, told Newsweek. The existing green card holders who already have a property are can’t purchase a new property within the bill’s outlined 25-mile radius, King said.Introduced by Representatives King and Roy Klopfenstein, House Bill 1, seeks to limit who can be a land owner. “This is about protecting our obligation to keep our power stations, water treatment plants, and gas lines safe from surveillance and espionage,” King said.The aim is to save Ohio land from foreign citizens especially from countries like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria within 25 miles of “critical infrastructure”. The bill exempts American citizens or those with dual citizenship from the ban.Under the bill, the list of land that would fall under “protected property” is long. It includes any railroad property, a dam operating by the state or federal government, and trucking terminals. The bill also includes airports, military bases and farmland. County sheriffs would be responsible for enforcing the new restrictions. If the legislation passes, individuals subject to the prohibition would be required to sell restricted property within two years. Similar laws exist in Florida and Texas but they also faced lawsuits and national debate. “The bill is part of a broader national push to address concerns about foreign land ownership tied to national security. However, as currently written, the legislation would create sweeping limitations that affect far more than high-risk transactions, including everyday residential purchases,” Ohio Realtors said.
List of nationals who can’t buy land in Ohio if the bill is passed
ChinaRussiaIranNorth KoreaCubaVenezuelaSyriaOhio’s secretary of state would have to update the list every six months, the proposed bill said.
