ND Senate passes bill seeking to bar foreign governments from buying ag land in state

BISMARCK — A bill seeking to bar foreign governments and businesses they control from purchasing, acquiring or holding any interest in agricultural land in North Dakota has passed the state Senate in a 47-0 vote. If it becomes law, legislation in House Bill 1135 would not affect land held by a foreign government before July 1, 2023. The bill already passed the House in a 93-0 vote. On March 30, the bill received a 6-0 “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Before the final vote, an amendment to the bill was passed so the prohibition…