State Representative Bill G. Schuette has introduced a bill within a package to combat foreign influence from countries of concern in Michigan. The plans will help safeguard Michigan’s residents, security and economy from various threats.

Schuette’s House Bill 4240 prohibits public bodies in the state from entering into constraining agreements with foreign entities of concern. The proposal comes as companies with ties to foreign governments have looked to locate in Michigan, sometimes near sensitive sites.

“From my experience as an Intelligence Officer with the Defense Department, I know firsthand there are adversaries out there who are looking to steal our data, secure beneficial reconnaissance and undermine our state and country where they can,” Schuette said. “Building in these commonsense safeguards will protect our state and national interests.”

Other bills in the package would:

• Prevent foreign entities of concern from collecting sensitive information by blocking prohibited apps on government devices.

• Ensure public economic incentives are not awarded to foreign entities of concern.

• Protect the personal health information of Michigan residents by ensuring health care record technology is physically maintained in the U.S. or Canada.

• Protect the safety of Michiganders by preventing entities of concern from purchasing land and surveilling military bases and other critical infrastructure.

The bills in the package apply to all of the dangerous entities included on the federal watch list: The People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro, and the Syrian Arab Republic.

Schuette has consistently pushed for measures that would protect Michigan from situations that could undermine national security. Last term, he offered an amendment to a state budget for the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity that required a report to the House Appropriations Committee on any foreign persons or entities that may be involved in a project set to potentially receive money from the state’s Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund.

House Bills 4233-42 have been referred to the House Government Operations Committee for consideration.

PHOTO INFORMATION: Representative Bill G. Schuette (at podium) speaks on new legislation that will curb dangerous foreign influence in Michigan on Thursday, March 13.