NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Assembly approved legislation to further protect Tennessee’s land from foreign adversaries.
The Sen. Frank Niceley National Security and Economic Protection Act, sponsored by State Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, bars certain foreign parties from buying or owning non-agricultural land in Tennessee and prevents them from using a third party to purchase the land to circumvent the rule.
“Protecting Tennessee’s land is essential to our state’s security and future from foreign adversaries,” Reedy said. “This legislation closes loopholes and takes a strong, proactive stance to defend our communities from undue foreign influence. The bill honors the late Sen. Frank Niceley and reflects his longstanding commitment to preserving the Volunteer State’s sovereignty and its resources for generations to come.”
The proposal adds prohibited foreign parties to the current list of foreign-controlled entities, such as China and North Korea, that are prohibited from acquiring by grant, purchase, devise or otherwise an interest in non-agricultural land in the state.
If a prohibited foreign party already owns land illegally, the land must be sold within two years, or the Tennessee Attorney General can take legal action. The proposal also creates a Class A misdemeanor for violations.
Tennessee Republicans have strengthened existing land laws by banning foreign adversarial nations from purchasing or acquiring land in the state unless certain conditions are met and by requiring foreign entities that do purchase land to report to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
House Bill 1788 now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature.
Jay Reedy represents District 74 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes Benton, Houston, Humphreys, Stewart and part of Henry counties.
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