Committee considers bills to bar foreign principals from buying Michigan farmland or land near military sites; substitute narrowed scope

Members of the House Committee on Government Operations spent extensive time on a pair of bills that would restrict foreign acquisition of Michigan agricultural land and real estate near military installations.

Sponsors and supporters framed the bills as safeguards for food security and national security. Representative Johnson, sponsor of House Bill 4233 as substituted, told the committee the bill is “a critical step in safeguarding Michigan's agricultural lands” and said the legislation would prohibit foreign principals from the listed countries of concern from purchasing agricultural land in Michigan and require existing foreign principals to register holdings with the Secretary of State. The sponsor said limited, reasonable exemptions would apply, including a two‑year divestment period for land acquired by devise or descent and a two‑year requirement to sell ag land acquired through legal debt‑collection processes.

Representative Bierman (sponsor/advocate on the companion bill) described HB 4235 as a prohibition on ownership and purchase of land within 20 miles of military installations or other “key facilities.” Committee members repeatedly asked how the bills would be enforced, who would shoulder liability, and how broad terms such as “key…