Bill With Goal Of Limiting Foreign Ownership Of Property In Tennessee Moving Closer To Becoming Law
Image Credit: Ted Gamble / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
A bill presented this session by House Representative Jay Reedy (R- District 74- Benton, Houston, Humphreys, Stuart, and Part of Henry Counties) and Senator Frank Niceley (R- District 8- Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Jefferson, Sevier, and Union Counties) that would limit ownership by foreign persons or entities in the state of Tennessee is slated to be heard in front of the House Subcommittee on Property and Planning this coming week, Wednesday, February 8th at 10:30 am in House Hearing Room II in the Cordell Hull Building next to the Capitol.
Senate Bill 0122 (SB0122), and House Bill 0040 (HB0040), states that if the country where a non-resident or foreign entity resides las laws in place that deny citizens of the United States or its territories/possessions from purchasing real property in that country, that in turn those entities and persons are prohibited from owning real property in the state of Tennessee.
The terms for “Non-Resident Alien”, “Foreign Business Entity” and “Real Property” are all defined here in the legislation.
Any property that was owned by those mentioned above before the date of July 1st, 2023 would not be divested, but would be forced to register the property with the Secretary of State of Tennessee.
Violations of the new law, should it survive the legislative process, would be a fine not to exceed $2000 for each violation. In addition, each violation will also be reported to the Tennessee Attorney General for further action in the circuit court of the county where the property is located.
For those citizens of the state that are interested in this issue, and do not wish to see pieces of our state purchased by anyone who would have possible nefarious intentions, we are urging a call to action.
Please be sure to contact the following list below, before the end of day Tuesday, February 7th 2023 in order to make sure your opinions are recorded:
House Property and Planning Subcommittee
Representative Dale Carr (R) – rep.dale.carr@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-5981
Representative John Crawford (R) – rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-7623
Representative Greg Martin (R) – rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-2548
Representative Kevin Raper (R) – rep.kevin.raper@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-1350
Representative Jay Reedy (R) – rep.jay.reedy@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-7098
Representative Tim Rudd (R) – rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-2804
Representative Dwayne Thompson (D) – rep.dwayne.thompson@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-1920
Representative Dave Wright (R) – rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-6879
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty.
