Republican legislators in Kansas are pushing proposals to prevent individuals and companies from China and other U.S. adversaries from owning farmland or business property, limiting state investments in foreign companies, and restricting the use of foreign-made drones. Some GOP conservatives, led by state Attorney General Kris Kobach, are advocating for even stricter restrictions, while Democratic critics argue that the measures are motivated by xenophobia. Many states already have restrictions on foreign land ownership to protect national security, and the Kansas House approved three bills targeting activities by individuals and groups from countries like China, Cuba, and Iran, as well as designated terror organizations.
Under one bill, firms with citizens owning more than 10% couldn’t own farmland or business property within 150 miles of important U.S. military installations, effectively covering all of Kansas. Another bill would require the state to divest from companies with ties to targeted nations, while a third would prohibit state agencies from acquiring drones with critical components made in those nations. The bills aim to avoid allocating resources to countries that pose obstacles to human rights, international stability, and national security, according to Republican state Rep. Nick Hoheisel. The measures passed in the House with votes of 85-38, 84-39, and 83-40, respectively, and will now move to the state Senate where they are expected to receive support.
The Kansas State University report revealed that only a small percentage of privately owned agricultural land in the state has foreign interests, with Chinese ownership accounting for just one acre. However, Democrats in the legislature raised concerns that the bills could fuel anti-China sentiment and discrimination against Asian Americans. Despite these objections, the bills’ supporters argue that the measures are necessary to address human rights abuses in targeted nations, such as Iran. State Rep. Patrick Penn emphasized the importance of protecting families from potential harm by investigating and knowing the truth about those who may seek to harm the state.
Attorney General Kris Kobach has put forward a proposal to restrict foreign nationals from owning more than 3 acres of property in Kansas and establish a State Land Council to review individual cases and make exceptions. While this proposal has faced opposition from business and agriculture groups, Kobach believes it is more likely to lead to investigations of land ownership. Critics of the land ownership bill argue that the existing prohibition on corporate ownership of farmland is sufficient to address any concerns about foreign ownership. They suggest that the bill could have negative repercussions on immigrant small business owners hoping to become U.S. citizens, rather than effectively addressing national security threats.
Despite the ongoing debate and criticisms, the Republican-controlled Kansas House passed the three bills with significant support from GOP legislators. While Governor Laura Kelly has not made her stance clear, the House votes indicated that there may be enough backing to override a potential veto. The proposals signal a concerted effort by Kansas lawmakers to address national security risks and human rights abuses linked to foreign ownership and investments in the state. The debate surrounding these measures reflects broader concerns about foreign influence and the protection of American interests at the state level.
