State Rep. Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres) yesterday led the Michigan House in passing House Bill 4241, a measure that would prohibit foreign adversaries from receiving any form of state-funded economic incentives.

Under this legislation, the nations of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela under Nicolas Maduro, and Syria would be barred from receiving public financial support from the state of Michigan.

“Allowing regimes that openly oppose American interests to benefit from our public resources puts our national security at serious risk,” Hoadley said. “There is absolutely no justification for giving taxpayer dollars to governments that pose a threat to our country. I’m committed to protecting our state and its residents from these dangers.”

This bill is part of a broader initiative from House Republicans to strengthen state-level protections against foreign interference. The package includes proposals to:

• Prohibit foreign countries from paying Michigan universities to modify their curriculums or influence information going to students
• Prohibit hostile foreign governments and their agents from purchasing farmland in Michigan
• Seize agricultural land owned by a foreign principal located within 20 miles of a U.S. military base or key installation
• Prohibit student exchange programs with foreign governments if the program attempts to revise school curriculums or gain power over the school’s contracting policy
• Require universities, community colleges, and public bodies to report gifts received from foreign sources
• Prohibit apps owned by certain foreign governments or agents from being installed on state government cellphones
• Prohibit foreign governments or agents of concern from having access to electronic health records

All bills in the package passed the House Tuesday afternoon. The legislative push comes in the wake of security incidents involving foreign nationals, including reported surveillance activities by Chinese operatives at Camp Grayling and controversial taxpayer incentives directed toward Gotion. Hoadley, a U.S. Army veteran, emphasized the national security implications of the bills.

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

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