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Senate hears bill to require affidavits for purchases within 10 miles of critical military sites
Summary
Sen. Regina Bartzell introduced Senate Bill 162, a measure that would require buyers or lessees of property within 10 miles of specified New Hampshire defense facilities to file an affidavit swearing they are not agents of designated foreign adversaries.
Sen. Regina Bartzell, sponsor of Senate Bill 162, told the Commerce Committee she introduced a narrower successor to a prior bill after a study committee reviewed risks from foreign purchases of property near sensitive facilities. "If you are a buyer of a property or leasing a property within 10 miles of these facilities ... you will fill out an affidavit attesting the person acquiring the ownership or controlling interest or leasing the property ... is not a foreign principal or an agent of a foreign principal," Bartzell said.
The proposed list of protected facilities in New Hampshire includes the New Boston Space Force Station, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and several National Guard facilities identified by state military officials. Bartzell said the study panel heard testimony including from the U.S. Space Force and the attorney general's office, and that the measure focuses on buyers rather than sellers or real estate agents.
David Dinwiddie, director at New Boston Space Force Station, told the committee the Space Force supports the bill. "We certainly support this effort," he said, adding that the countries listed in the bill "are the foreign countries of concern to our mission." Thaddeus Dickinson, anti‑terrorism program manager for the station, said the bill would enhance security around "defense critical infrastructure."
Chris Bond, associate attorney general, said the Department of Justice helped draft the narrower language and intends to limit the definition of prohibited buyers and the definition of critical infrastructure to reduce legal risk. "From a due‑process perspective we're in pretty good shape," Bond told the committee.
Citizen testimony included Lily Tang Williams, who described personal experience growing up in the People's Republic of China and urged lawmakers to limit foreign acquisitions near military facilities.
The bill would send affidavits to the attorney general's office; Bartzell said the bill would not impose liability on real estate agents and that the AG's office has indicated it would not require extra resources to administer the law as drafted. The committee closed the public hearing; no final committee action was recorded at the meeting.
