In response to several high-profile events across the country, Pennsylvania House Republicans said Wednesday they were planning to introduce a bill that would protect critical state assets from unfriendly countries like China.
The legislators acknowledged that the federal government oversee a national defense strategy, but said the legislation package would identify key areas where Pennsylvania could provide coverage for state assets not covered by federal jurisdiction.
PA State Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland) proposed plans to introduce legislation that would protect agricultural land in the state by restricting the ability of “countries of concern” (as designated by the federal government) to purchase agricultural land in the state. The legislation seeks to prevent an incident similar to one the U.S. military classified as a “security threat” when a Chinese-linked security firm purchased 370 acres of farmland near a military instillation in North Dakota.
Glenn’s proposed legislation would expand on a current law that restricts government officials, political parties and members of political parties, business entities and individuals from countries of concern from purchasing agricultural property.
“If the federal government has designated a foreign country as one of concern, we should not be jeopardizing our national security by allowing leaders, political parties, or associated businesses from those countries to purchase large swaths of agricultural land, especially when that land may be near sensitive areas,” she said. “The amount of Pennsylvania agricultural land purchased and owned by foreign entities significantly increased last year and that is especially concerning given recent events in North Dakota and that is particularly true for my district where a sensitive national defense asset—the Army War College—is located near agricultural land.”
Another bill, proposed by Rep. Stephenie Scialabba (R-Butler) would establish the Pennsylvania Cyber Security Task Force to assist institutions and facilities with cyber security needs. The task force, made up of staff from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Public Utility Commission and other stakeholders, would also help with the implementation of security safeguards.
And a bill coming from Rep. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler) would require the Joint State Government Commission to review policies the Commonwealth could establish to review foreign purchases of infrastructure assets, and to assess those purchases for possible security implications to critical infrastructure.