It’s wonderful when a state stands up against the federal government, and even foreign interests as well. Gov. Tate Reeves from the State of Mississippi has signed a bill into law that would create a study committee to investigate a possible ban on foreign government ownership of Mississippi farmland.
Mississippi lawmakers work to prevent China from purchasing Mississippi farmlandhttps://t.co/HkNFEwDomc
— SuperTalk News (@SuperTalkNews) February 19, 2023
The bill has reached the governor’s desk at a time when America has seen a large portion of its farmland being bought up by corporations with strong ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Reports have made it clear a majority of the farmland bought is usually near or beside American military bases or energy facilities. A clear threat that Biden Administration has not taken seriously.
Gov. @tatereeves signed into law a bill that would create a study committee to investigate a possible ban of foreign government ownership of Mississippi farmland. https://t.co/EZwajfcWR8
— The Center Square (@thecentersquare) March 23, 2023
Mississippi’s new law, House Bill 280, was authored by the republican state Rep. Becky Currie. It commissions a study with a panel of state officials to look into the threat of farmland owned by foreign interests. The panel will consist of the state agriculture commissioner or their designee, the attorney general or their designee, and the chairmen of the Judiciary A and Agriculture committees from both the state House and Senate. Lastly will be appointees by the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker.
Mississippi group will probe foreign government ownership of farmland | Just The News https://t.co/7s79VIsa74
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) March 24, 2023
The study committee, after they investigate, will report on:
The total amount of agricultural land that is under foreign ownership and the percentage of change in foreign ownership over the past decade. What purpose to which foreign-owned agricultural land in Mississippi being put to use currently, including any significant recent changes or trends in the use to which foreign-owned agricultural land in Mississippi is being put to use. Foreign ownership of water rights, energy production, and water desalination facilities and any changes related to those.
The state department of agriculture’s assessment of any recent changes in foreign land ownership, along with impacts on water rights and food security. Whether there are any current prohibitions on the foreign ownership of Mississippi land and why such prohibitions are not being enforced. Any recommendations by the state agriculture department.
