The Wisconsin Paper Council says a bill to ban foreign adversaries from owning ag land could impact paper companies in Wisconsin.
AB 30 defines “foreign adversary” as a foreign government or nongovernment person that the U.S. Commerce secretary has determined engages in conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the U.S. or U.S. citizens. An amendment offered by bill author Rep. William Penterman, R-Hustisford, would expand the prohibition to any real property owned by a foreign adversary.
Foreign adversaries would include China, Cuba, Iran, Russia and North Korea.
Scott Suder, president of the Wisconsin Paper Council, during an Assembly Agriculture Committee public hearing said the Paper Council believes the intent of the legislation is well-meaning. But he also raised concerns over the “overly broad and arguably ambiguous language” in the bill.
He mentioned ND Paper, a company that Suder said employs hundreds of people in Barron and Sturtevant.
“The legislation before you does create some uncertainty for companies like ND, which even though incorporated in the United States, could unintentionally fall victim to the vague and uncertain language as currently drafted,” Suder argued.
The Legislative Council attorney assigned to the committee said U.S. citizens wouldn’t have to divest ownership of a business in Wisconsin unless it could be proved a foreign adversary is somehow indirectly or directly controlling the business.
Still, Suder said he would like to work with bill authors to address concerns from the paper industry.
