Sen. Pederson Seeks Balance Between National Security, Economic Development

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, held an interim study Tuesday to hear recommendations from state agency leaders on how to make a new law preventing foreign adversaries from owning land in this state more targeted and enforceable.

Pederson invited officials from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to present suggestions for clarifying and strengthening Senate Bill 893, which will take effect July 1, 2027, at his interim study before the Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee.

Known as the Military Installation and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, SB 893 prevents foreign adversaries from owning land within 10 miles of Oklahoma’s military installations, including Vance Air Force Base in Enid, and critical infrastructure sites across the state.

“We don’t want foreign adversaries operating near our military bases, but we also don’t want to create problems for economic development. We need to protect Oklahoma while making sure communities can still attract good jobs and investment. This study continued a discussion about finding balance and making sure we get the law right,” said Sen. Pederson.

Department of Commerce Director of Global Trade and Investment Mark Wells recommended modifying the definition of “foreign adversary” to better align with federal laws designed to protect national security. He also suggested strengthening the law to include a clear prohibition on state economic development incentives for businesses with ties to foreign adversary nations to prevent communities from investing time and resources into projects that could never come to fruition under state law.

Pederson said he will discuss the agency’s proposed changes with his legislative colleagues before the First Session of the 61st Legislature begins Feb. 1, 2027.