Can Russia own land in Indiana?
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Indiana passed a law that targeted Russian business and citizens from buying land in the state. But that measure had a one-year moratorium that expired last summer, and lawmakers are looking for a more permanent way to protect Indian's $35 billion agriculture industry from foreign acquisition.
The issue of foreign land ownership is a growing concern across the country: The amount of foreign-owned land has increased by 40% since 2016, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Now, dozens of states in addition to Indiana — as well as U.S. Senator Mike Braun and other members of Congress — are considering how to limit the practice. Now state lawmakers will consider a new bill that bars China and Russia from owning or leasing farmland in Indiana.