Tri-City Sun

State Representative Mike Hoadley has successfully led the Michigan House in passing House Bill 4241, which aims to prevent foreign adversaries from receiving state-funded economic incentives. The bill specifically targets countries such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela under Nicolas Maduro, and Syria.

Hoadley stated that "allowing regimes that openly oppose American interests to benefit from our public resources puts our national security at serious risk." He further emphasized that there is no justification for providing taxpayer dollars to governments posing threats to the United States.

The legislation is part of a broader initiative by House Republicans designed to enhance protections against foreign interference at the state level. This includes proposals prohibiting foreign countries from influencing university curriculums in Michigan and preventing hostile foreign governments from purchasing farmland within the state. Additional measures involve seizing agricultural land owned by foreign principals near U.S. military bases and restricting student exchange programs with certain foreign governments.

Other provisions require educational institutions and public bodies to report gifts received from abroad and ban specific apps on government cellphones. Access to electronic health records by concerning foreign entities would also be restricted.

All bills in this legislative package passed the House on Tuesday afternoon. The move follows incidents involving security breaches by foreign nationals, including surveillance activities linked to Chinese operatives at Camp Grayling and debates over taxpayer incentives directed toward Gotion. Hoadley, who is also a U.S. Army veteran, highlighted the importance of these bills for national security.

"Our military bases, our vital records, and our tax dollars must be off-limits to any nation that threatens our freedom," Hoadley said. "We owe it to our servicemembers—and to all Michiganders—to take every step necessary to ensure their safety."