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Arizona committee gives due-pass to bill barring land sales to foreign entities deemed hostile to U.S.
Summary
The House Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs voted 6–2 (1 absent) to give Senate Bill 10-66 a due-pass recommendation; the bill would prohibit conveyance or sale of Arizona land to foreign entities hostile to the United States. Lawmakers debated enforceability and constitutional concerns.
The House Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs on a voice and roll call vote gave Senate Bill 10-66 a due-pass recommendation, with 6 ayes, 2 nays and 1 absent.
Blanca, a committee staff member, summarized the measure: "Senate Bill 10 66 prohibits land in Arizona from being conveyed or sold to a foreign entity that is hostile to The United States." The bill was then discussed briefly by members before the committee voted.
The bill drew supportive comments about narrowly protecting sensitive sites. One committee member said, "I think that it's a good bill, a necessary bill to be able to keep our, all of those things secure for our state," and cited concerns about foreign purchases near military bases and universities. Representative Sandoval explained his no vote, citing "constitutional concerns" and enforcement difficulties, saying it would be "really difficult to enforce this." Chair Diaz and Vice Chairman Pena voted aye.
The written record shows named roll-call votes recorded during the meeting. Those recorded voting aye included Representative Diasci, Representative Griffin, Representative Kessel, Representative Martinez, Vice Chairman Pena and Chairman Diaz. Representative Keshlakai and Representative Sandoval were recorded as voting no. One member was recorded absent; the transcript does not name the absent member.
The committee's action was a recommendation to the next stage of the legislative process; no statute or enforcement mechanism was adopted at this hearing. The committee did not identify a specific enforcement scheme during the discussion and did not reference a statutory citation that authorizes divestiture or sale by county authorities for this bill.
The committee moved on to other bills after the vote; there was no additional committee direction recorded about drafting changes or referrals.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 10-66 — motion: "that Senate Bill 10 66 be returned with the due pass recommendation"; outcome: due pass recommendation, tally 6 ayes, 2 nays, 1 absent.
