America is under increasing threat from hostile foreign countries, and with that in mind, Senate Republicans have consistently supported laws to prevent these countries from infiltrating Indiana's economy.
Foreign adversaries owning land has become a growing national security concern, which is why Senate Republicans have voted to enact laws that prohibit companies from hostile countries from accessing Indiana's land.
In 2024, the General Assembly passed House Enrolled Act 1183, which bans foreign adversary businesses from buying land within 10 miles of an Indiana military installation or buying farmland anywhere in Indiana. This was an important step to protect America's food supply and national defense assets.
The General Assembly strengthened that law in 2026 by banning businesses from hostile countries from buying any property in Indiana. This prohibition applies to companies from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or any other country the governor deems a threat.
Additionally, if a company from a prohibited country already bought land in Indiana prior to the law taking effect, the company can be divested of ownership if a court finds it is acting as an agent of its country's government.
In addition to restricting land ownership, Indiana is working to limit business activities by hostile foreign nations that could compromise Hoosiers' safety.
Senate Enrolled Act 256 requires agents of foreign adversary nations to file a registration statement with the Attorney General's office and update their registration anytime there is a material change. Through this requirement, the state can monitor the business activity of organizations that openly act as agents for hostile nations.
SEA 256 also prohibits businesses from foreign adversary nations from entering into sensitive technology contracts with the state or local government. Working alongside this policy, Senate Enrolled Act 477 from 2023 prohibits businesses from hostile countries from entering into any contract that would give them access to Indiana's critical infrastructure, including refineries, power plants, key manufacturing sites, transportation facilities and more.
Lastly, House Enrolled Act 1406 bans any company from a foreign adversary nation from qualifying for tax incentives from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Indiana's colleges and universities are some of the state's greatest scientific and economic assets, carrying out all kinds of state-of-the-art research projects. Bright minds from around the world help further research here in America, but it is important to make sure that hostile foreign governments don't take advantage of our openness to undermine America's security.
To that end, Senate Republicans voted to enact a new law that requires the state's public colleges and universities to conduct a background review of each student from a foreign adversary nation before allowing them to enroll in certain sensitive educational programs like chemical engineering, artificial intelligence and virology. If a student acts as an agent of the foreign government, they cannot be enrolled in the program.
Additionally, House Enrolled Act 1179 from 2024 requires state colleges to prevent their intellectual property from being transferred to any business connected with a foreign adversary. It also requires state colleges to disclose to the state government any gifts and contracts involving an entity located in a foreign adversary.
Senate Republicans remain committed to protecting Indiana from the threats posed by foreign adversaries.
