Committee advances constitutional amendment and enabling statute to bar expropriation by foreign adversaries

The House Civil Law Committee reported favorably on HB 180 and its companion constitutional amendment HB 192 on April 7, advancing a package to prevent private‑entity expropriation by foreign adversaries.

Representative Owen told the committee HB 180 provides statutory definitions that will be used in HB 192’s constitutional language; both bills reference the federal Code of Federal Regulations and a Treasury database to identify "foreign adversaries." Sponsor remarks and committee questions made clear the bills are targeted at a narrow set of countries identified in federal regulations and are intended as a guardrail for state property rules.

Representative Owen described the statutory measure as enabling language for a constitutional amendment that would explicitly prevent a private entity that is a designated foreign adversary — or an agent of such an adversary — from expropriating or damaging property. Committee members asked whether the federal government’s list could change; sponsors acknowledged the definition relies on federal designations and that any federal change would be reflected in the statutory definition.

Both HB 180 and HB 192 were reported favorably without recorded objection. Supporters argued the measures reinforce protections for state property and critical infrastructure; opponents at the table expressed concerns about economic impacts and potential overbreadth and urged careful drafting.

The measures now proceed from committee as the Legislature considers the companion constitutional amendment process.