Committee hears extensive proponent testimony on bill to restrict foreign adversary land purchases near critical sites

The House Public Safety Committee spent nearly two hours on House Bill 1, a proposal the sponsors are calling the Ohio Property Protection Act, hearing proponent testimony and extended member questioning about how the measure would define "foreign adversaries," treat military service members and lawful permanent residents, and be enforced.

Representative Bernie Willis, the bill's sponsor, framed HB1 as a national-security safeguard to protect military installations and other critical infrastructure from foreign influence. "We want to deter and prevent any new potential attacks," Willis told the committee, citing prior cases in other states where land purchases near bases raised security concerns. Willis said the bill would build on restrictions the legislature adopted previously and rely on federal-designation lists when identifying prohibited purchasers.