Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03), together with several other representatives, has introduced new legislation aimed at preventing foreign adversaries from acquiring land or resources near America’s public lands. The bill, known as the Keeping Public Lands Out of Adversarial Hands Act, seeks to address national security concerns by restricting such acquisitions.
The group of lawmakers co-leading the bill includes Reps. Newhouse (WA-04), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), John Rose (TN-06), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), and Mike Ezell (MS-04). According to a statement from Congressman Kennedy, “Utah cannot allow foreign adversaries to purchase our land. The Keeping Public Lands out of Adversarial Hands Act will take a vital step by preventing foreign adversaries from purchasing land adjacent to our public spaces. This is a matter of national security, and this legislation takes a vital step towards protecting our territory and the public interest.”
The proposed legislation would add the Secretary of the Interior to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This change would require that transactions involving land or resources next to areas managed by agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management undergo review.
Further details about the full text of the bill are available for those interested in additional information.
