A bill to restrict foreign adversaries from purchasing N.C. agricultural land and property surrounding military bases passed the House unanimously on Wednesday.

House Bill 463, the N.C. Farmland and Military Protection Act, prohibits hostile foreign governments, like China and Russia, from buying farmland and land situated within a 25-mile radius of a military instillation.

“By preventing these foreign land grabs, this legislation will mitigate an unnecessary threat to our national and food security,” said House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne). “With agriculture and military making up our state’s top two economic impacts, it is critical that we ensure our military bases and farmland are protected and secure.”

“As someone who grew up on a family farm, preserving North Carolina’s farmland is a top priority,” said primary bill sponsor, Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson). “Our state’s agricultural land is one of our most important assets and it is common sense that we protect it from foreign governments that do not have America’s best interests in mind.”  

The legislation, which has the support of the N.C. Farm Bureau, now goes to the Senate for consideration.