Committee recommends bill to expand limits on land ownership by foreign adversaries near critical sites

The committee returned SB 16 83 with a do-pass recommendation after hearing multiple witnesses who framed the bill as a national-security measure targeting high-risk land transactions near critical military infrastructure.

Staff described the bill as expanding prohibitions on land ownership by foreign adversary nations and their agents, defining prohibited transactions, data practices and penalties and expanding the definition of "foreign adversary agent." Lloyd Abrams, assistant city manager for Surprise and retired Air Force, said the measure is a narrow, facts-based solution that provides local governments a framework to review high-risk transactions near installations such as Luke Air Force Base, where officials lack access to federal intelligence.

Mark James, interim director of community initiatives at Luke Air Force Base, read Air Force testimony that foreign-investment activity near sensitive installations can create opportunities for persistent surveillance, operational mapping and exploitation of opaque ownership structures. "With no vetting, some transactions involving foreign investments can create enduring vulnerabilities that are difficult to remediate post acquisition," he said.

Senator Frank Carroll urged the committee to vote yes, noting federal-state support and the importance of protecting training missions and chip-and-AI infrastructure. The committee returned the bill with a do-pass recommendation; the chair announced the vote as 5 ayes and 3 nays.