New Hampshire proposes bill to restrict foreign land purchases near military bases

Concerns over foreign land purchases near military installations took center stage during the New Hampshire House Commerce and Consumer Affairs meeting on April 16, 2025. Lawmakers discussed a proposed bill aimed at prohibiting entities from China, Russia, Syria, Iran, and North Korea from acquiring property within a ten-mile radius of critical military sites in the state.

The bill, introduced by a state senator, responds to growing national security concerns highlighted by recent land purchases by foreign adversaries, particularly a Chinese company in North Dakota near a military base. The senator emphasized that such acquisitions pose a significant threat to national security, stating, "We must make sure this does not happen in New Hampshire."

Under the proposed legislation, any foreign principal seeking to buy or lease property near designated military installations would be required to sign an affidavit confirming they do not represent any of the specified countries. Violations of this statute would result in serious penalties, including misdemeanors for individuals and felonies for entities.

The discussion also touched on the implications for students and residents in the area, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about potential restrictions on housing for foreign nationals attending local universities. However, legal experts clarified that the bill targets entities and agents of foreign governments, not individual students.

The meeting underscored a bipartisan recognition of the urgency to address these security issues, with lawmakers noting that other states, like Maine, have already taken steps to protect their military installations. As the bill moves forward, it aims to establish a framework for safeguarding New Hampshire's military assets from foreign influence, reflecting a growing trend across the nation to tighten regulations on foreign land ownership.