Legislation bans certain countries from buying land in Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - Legislation to prevent certain countries from purchasing land in Kentucky has been introduced for consideration during the 2023 General Assembly.

Rep. Richard Heath, R-Mayfield, who serves as chair of the House Agriculture Committee and is seeking the Republican nomination for Commissioner of Agriculture in the May primary, is the sponsor of the measure, House Bill 500, which also has 23 co-sponsors.

Its purpose is to protect state agricultural land. It would prohibit the purchase, lease, or acquisition of agricultural land by individuals associated with foreign countries that have been deemed by the federal government as a threat to the United States.

"This bill is about protecting the best interest of not just those of us in agriculture but all Kentuckians," Heath said. "HB 500 would protect our most vital industry by specifically prohibiting the leasing, purchase, or acquisition of land by individuals who are considered a governmental entity of the countries."

The criteria used to designate those questions is defined in section 126.1 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Today, there are a total of 24, with the top eught being Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela.

Others on the list are Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Haiti, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

"This is about protecting our national security in a very uncertain, unfriendly world," Heath added. "With food shortages and insecurity, a major issue across the globe, we need to take this opportunity to look after our supply chain where it begins."

The bill has not yet been scheduled for a committee hearing.