PHOENIX, Ariz. — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on June 2 vetoed Senate Bill 1109, aimed at barring entities linked to the Chinese government from acquiring a 30% or greater interest in Arizona real estate—citing concerns over its enforceability and limited security benefits.
Bill Sought to Curb Foreign Land Acquisition
Sen. Janae Shamp (R–Surprise), sponsor of SB 1109, described the legislation as a means to protect Arizona’s military, commercial, and agricultural assets from potential foreign espionage. The bill would have prohibited ownership stakes of 30% or more by the Chinese Communist Party or state entities (SB 1109 legislative text)—but these provisions remain unverified in public sources as of now.
In her veto letter, Governor Hobbs stated the bill would not effectively prevent espionage, would not directly protect military assets, and lacked clear implementation mechanisms (“lack[s] clear implementation criteria,” Hobbs veto letter).
Opposition Argues Security Risk
Sen. Shamp called the veto “politically motivated” and warned the state remains vulnerable near military installations such as Luke Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca, and Yuma Proving Ground in the absence of SB 1109. She also claimed Chinese entities in other states had acquired land near bases, potentially for surveillance or even drone deployment.
Part of Broader Veto Pattern
This veto follows a recent pattern by Gov. Hobbs: in April, she vetoed a bill banning telecom equipment from Chinese firms, citing cost and business impact; in May, she vetoed bills on immigration cooperation (SB 1088) and healthcare reporting (SB 1268). The bill and Hobbs’s vetoes are part of ongoing debates over state sovereignty, security, and economic interests.
National Comparisons & Local Context
Arizona joins states like Georgia in legislators considering measures to restrict foreign land ownership—Georgia recently passed laws limiting purchases within 10 miles of military bases by foreign adversaries. Arizona’s veto highlights the challenge of balancing national security concerns with legislative clarity and economic implications.
This article includes information from the Associated Press.
