BISMARCK – The North Dakota State Senate passed a bill Thursday prohibiting the land ownership of businesses based in countries that are listed as foreign adversaries by the federal government.
SB2371, if passed, would ban businesses headquartered in federally recognized adversary countries from acquiring land in North Dakota. The committee and Senate as a whole added to the bill that the ban does not apply to duly registered businesses that have been in good standing with the secretary of state for at least seven years. The amendments also included exceptions for adversaries approved by the committee for foreign direct investment and those that maintain an active national security agreement with the federal government.
“There are many similar bills in states around the country and even one on the federal level,” said Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Dis. 19, Edinburg. “This bill would not stop foreign investment in North Dakota. There’s nothing in this bill that even prevents a foreign adversary from operating in North Dakota. Many states are watching North Dakota move forward protecting our national security from threats. This is truly a real and present danger. We have seen recent events on the eastern side of our state that undergird these concerns, and clearly show the nation and the world that in the end, we will protect our lands.”
The bill as amended passed by a vote of 47 to 0 and will be sent to the House for consideration.
