New Bill Blocks Chinese Nationals from Buying Land Near U.S. Federal Property

The "No American Land for Communist China Act" aims to prevent Chinese nationals and entities significantly owned by the Chinese government from purchasing real estate near U.S. federal lands. This means property next to lands managed by the Departments of the Interior, Defense, Agriculture (specifically the Forest Service), and Energy, plus areas designated as "Indian country," are off-limits. The bill puts the responsibility on the President to enforce this. (SEC. 2)

Lay of the Land

This bill directly impacts what land can be bought and sold near a wide range of federal properties. For example, if you're a rancher with property bordering a national forest managed by the Forest Service, this bill means you couldn't sell to a Chinese national or a company with 25% or more Chinese government ownership. The same goes for property near military bases, Department of Energy facilities, or land within designated "Indian country." The stated goal is to protect these areas from potential espionage or control by the Chinese government. (SEC. 2)

Real-World Rollout

Right now, the bill doesn't define "adjacent," which is a pretty big deal. Does it mean directly touching the federal land? Within a certain number of miles? This lack of clarity could create some headaches down the line, both for landowners and for enforcement. Imagine trying to sell your property and having to figure out if it falls under this rule. (SEC. 2)

It covers a lot of ground – the 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and any other U.S. territory are all included. (SEC. 2) While the bill isn't yet law, it could change the market. It is important to note that the bill's 25% ownership threshold might be tricky to navigate. It might be possible to get around this with complicated ownership setups. (SEC. 2)

The Big Picture

This bill fits into a broader pattern of U.S. concerns about Chinese influence and national security. It builds on existing regulations around foreign investment, but specifically targets land purchases near sensitive areas. It is a real concern, but so is making sure we are not unfairly targeting people.