FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2023
Contact: Hope Brasell
334-398-1823
THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE PASSES THE ALABAMA PROPERTY PROTECTION ACT
MONTGOMERY, AL – Today, the Alabama Senate passed House Bill 379 known as the “Alabama Property Protection Act,” sponsored by Senator David Sessions (R-Grand Bay). This bill would prohibit governments, governmental entities, and foreign principals domiciled in certain foreign countries identified on a federal sanctions list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control from acquiring agricultural, forest property, real property within 10 miles of any military installation or critical infrastructure facility in the state.
“The Alabama Senate supports this piece of legislation and the unwavering efforts of Senator David Sessions in conjunction with Representative Stadthagen to protect Alabama and our citizens from the influence and control of foreign entities that have no business intruding and purchasing Alabama property,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed. “Our state’s agricultural resources, available property, and security of our military installations are integral to our state’s economy and potential for success, and it is our responsibility to protect all of those.”
This legislation lists the foreign countries of concern as: China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. This does not include Taiwan. The Alabama Property Protection Act includes agricultural and forest property, chemical manufacturing, refineries, electric energy producing facilities, water treatment/wastewater treatment plants, liquid natural gas terminals, telecommunication central switching offices, gas processing plants, seaport facilities, aerospace or spaceport infrastructure, airports, military installations, and real property defined as land, buildings, fixtures, and other improvements to land.
“I am proud of my colleagues in both the Senate and the House for their cohesive efforts in continuing to protect our properties and natural resources, whether they be agricultural or military,” stated Senator David Sessions. “We started with a broad bill and worked diligently to find a solution that was agreed upon by all parties. Our land is priceless to the American people, our economy, and our very way of life. These foreign countries of concern should not have the option or luxury of infiltrating Alabama and it is our duty to protect it.”
House Bill 379 was substituted in the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. The legislation passed the Senate with a vote of and will transmit to the House of Representatives for concurrence.