Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, State Senator Jason Bean and State Representative Kurtis Gregory are joining forces to shield Missourians from foreign land ownership deals that could impact agricultural farmland and military bases.

Bean and Gregory have both filed legislation that would lower the foreign land ownership percentage from 1 percent to 0.5 percent. The bills also would prohibit a foreign entity from owning land within a 30 mile radius of a military base or military contractor.

“Regarding the thousands of military personnel and the many base facilities in Missouri, it is paramount to ensure they both are protected by our state and furthermore our country,” Ashcroft stated. “I wholeheartedly support Missouri farmers and agriculture, both critical to our state. I applaud Senator Bean and Representative Gregory for their efforts to protect Missourians.”

A proposed senate substitute to the legislation backed by Ashcroft would require all foreign persons or entities to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from the secretary of state’s office to be included in the mandatory report that is filed with the Missouri Department of Agriculture.