Senate rejects measure to review foreign ag land purchases

Gov. Kristi Noem had made the proposal part of her anti-China focus

Sen. Jessica Castleberry lobbied senators on Tuesday to create a committee that would review ag land purchases. Castleberry, who represents Ellsworth Air Force Base, said the state needs to protect the base from Chinese surveillance. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE – The South Dakota Senate rejected a proposal to create a board to oversee agriculture land purchases by foreign entities on Tuesday, handing Gov. Kristi Noem a second high-profile legislative defeat of the day.

The Senate bill would have created a Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States – South Dakota to review land purchases made by foreign governments, foreign citizens or people with ties to foreign entities. The committee, staffed with various government officials and at least one landowner, would have had the power to recommend approval of such land purchases, with the governor making the ultimate decision if the purchase would be allowed.

The goal of the legislation was to stop Chinese Communist entities, and those with ties to the regime, from purchasing land in the state.

NEWS: Kristi Noem has enough money to be player in state politics for years to come