Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Legislation Foreign Ownership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council asks staff to research Ohio Property Protection Act bills after resident raises concerns for Chinese community
Summary
A resident alerted the council to nearly identical Ohio bills called the "Ohio Property Protection Act" that would restrict property ownership by certain foreign nationals; council asked city staff and legal counsel to research the legislation and report back.
A Mason resident's message to council about proposed state legislation prompted the Mason City Council on May 12 to ask staff to investigate the potential local impacts of two bills commonly described in public remarks as the "Ohio Property Protection Act." The resident said the bills could bar certain foreign nationals and entities from acquiring or retaining property and indicated the measures could affect local Chinese-owned institutions and employees on work visas.
Council member Bennett summarized the resident's concerns, saying the House version was reported to bar new purchases by "legally here" residents from China and similar countries of concern and the Senate version could require current owners to divest property within two years. The council did not opine on the bills’ merits but directed the city manager and legal staff to gather information, check with the city’s government-relations contractors, and contact federal or state representatives as appropriate.
City staff said the bills were in committee at the state level and acknowledged the language on such proposals can change as they move through the legislature. Staff and the city attorney were asked to compile research and circulate findings to council. No formal position or ordinance was proposed; council asked staff to monitor developments and report back when additional clarity is available.
