Ohio REALTORS Calls for Balanced Changes to Foreign Property Ownership Bill
By Anastasia Kotkovskaya, Manager, Advocacy and Research
This week, Andrew Huffman, Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs at Ohio REALTORS®, provided interested party testimony before the House Public Safety Committee on House Bill (HB) 1.
This legislation proposes to restrict certain property purchases by foreign entities, specifically agricultural land and land located within 25 miles of military installations and critical infrastructure facilities. The bill is part of a broader national push to address concerns about foreign land ownership tied to national security. However, as currently written, the legislation would create sweeping limitations that affect far more than high-risk transactions, including everyday residential purchases.
While sharing the bill’s national security concerns, Huffman highlighted serious issues in the bill’s current form that could create legal challenges, cause confusion surrounding what land is protected, and prohibit law-abiding legal residents from purchasing single-family homes.
Huffman’s testimony highlighted the below key concerns:
- HB 1 could become the most restrictive law of its kind in the country, and similar legislation in Florida is already facing legal challenges on constitutional and federal grounds – a risk Ohio should avoid.
- The bill’s definitions of “protected property” and “critical infrastructure” are so broad that they would effectively cover most property in the state, far exceeding the bill’s intended focus on high-risk areas.
- Without a publicly accessible map or database, it would be impossible for buyers, sellers, or local officials to determine whether a property falls within a restricted area, leading to confusion and compliance challenges.
- The legislation does not exempt legal permanent residents, such as green card holders. This would prohibit many law-abiding individuals who live and work in Ohio from purchasing homes, and is a restriction that most other states with similar laws have avoided.
- The bill lacks a mechanism to notify prospective buyers of these restrictions before they enter into a transaction, which could result in unintended violations. Adding notice language to Ohio’s Consumer Guide to Agency would help address this issue.
- Ohio REALTORS® recommended looking to Indiana’s recently passed legislation as a more balanced model that addresses national security concerns without creating legal uncertainty or overreach.
HB 1 remains under review in the House Public Safety Committee. Ohio REALTORS® will continue working with lawmakers to advocate for responsible policy that protects national interests, the rights of lawful prospective homebuyers, and the operations of real estate professionals.
Learn more about HB 1 below:
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