Arizona Senate Passes Legislation to Protect State from Foreign Adversaries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Arizona Senate Passes Legislation to Protect State from Foreign Adversaries

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— A bill to help protect Arizona's sovereignty against foreign adversaries who may be seeking to expand their country's presence in the Grand Canyon State is advancing to the House of Representatives after a vote in the Senate today.

Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp, SB 1109 prohibits a foreign principal from a nation identified by the federal government as a direct threat to the United States from purchasing, owning, or acquiring real property in Arizona. The bill passed the Senate today with full Republican support.

SB 1109 is the result of careful collaboration with Luke Air Force Base, county recorders, retired military members, and realtors to protect the mission of Arizona's four military bases. Foreign adversaries have been buying land around sensitive military bases across the United States and have sought to do the same in Arizona, increasing the risk of espionage attacks on America's armed forces and critical infrastructure.

"For too long, our state has sat idly by while our nation's enemies attempt to purchase and operate land and proprieties to benefit their foreign governments," said Senator Shamp. "That practice would end under this proposal. We know who these bad actors are. As our citizens' representatives, we have a responsibility to Arizonans, and to our oaths of office, to protect them and the future of our state from all those who might seek to cause harm. It's time for Arizona to take action against these foreign principals and send a message to America's enemies that our land and property is not for sale – especially around our military bases!"

Under SB 1109, countries impacted by the legislation are identified by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence as countries that pose a risk to the national security of the United States in each of the three most recent Annual Threat Assessments. The 2022, 2023, and 2024 Annual Threat Assessments identified China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as countries that pose a risk to the national security of the United States.

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov