Leising: Bill Protecting Indiana Land Signed into Law

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 10:25 AM

By State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg), news release

The law prevents individuals from certain countries from obtaining land near a military base in Indiana.

INDIANAPOLIS - A bill sponsored by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) that protects farmland and land around military bases in Indiana from adversarial nations was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb.

House Enrolled Act 1183 prevents individuals, with some exceptions, from countries the U.S. Department of Commerce defines as adversarial states from obtaining farmland and land within a 10-mile radius of a military base in Indiana.

Currently, individuals who are not dual citizens that would be prevented from obtaining farmland in Indiana are those from Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba and Venezuela. Additionally, individuals who are not dual citizens that would be prevented from obtaining land near a military base in Indiana are currently those from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.

"When individuals from adversarial states purchase land in Indiana, it becomes a homeland security risk that affects our state – and by default, our country," Leising said. " By passing this bill, the state can better protect our communities, military bases, economy and food supply chain from threats."

This legislation will go into effect July 1, 2024.

To learn more about HEA 1183, click here.