This legislative session is in full swing, and we are nearly through the bill introduction period! This week, I would like to address a critical issue that touches the heart of our state’s security and prosperity – the land ownership by foreign adversaries and future initiatives to address this concern.

The surge in foreign-owned land in Nebraska, now exceeding 791,000 acres, is important and cannot be ignored. This figure represents a large portion of our state’s farm and ranch property, but also raises concerns about the use and control of our agricultural lands, thereby threatening food security. While part of this increase can be partly attributed to land leased for wind energy by companies with some foreign ownership, the underlying concern still remains – the influence of foreign entities, especially those from adversarial nations like China, Iran, and Russia, on our treasured agricultural land and resources.

The growing concern about the foreign land ownership is not merely about the amount of land, but more so about the identities and intentions of the owners. In response, watch out for new bills this session (such as Senator Hardin’s LB 1120) targeted at preserving Nebraska’s agricultural land for potential threats, particularly from entities of nations that may not share our democratic principles, or respect our sovereignty.

I am dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of our agricultural lands in a manner consistent with the welfare of Nebraska and the United States. It is of utmost urgency that we fortify our defenses against foreign influence, preserve the sanctity of our agricultural strength, and maintain the security of Nebraska and the entire nation. With this said, I will be sure to keep you informed on upcoming hot-button issues and the bills impacting Nebraskans.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.