A priority bill of Gov. Ron DeSantis was called discriminatory by dozens of Chinese Americans on Wednesday, with some drawing comparisons to a Nazi-era law requiring Jews to register their property with the state.
HB 1355 and its companion SB 264 would restrict Chinese ownership of land and property, a response to reports of a Chinese company buying farmland next to a North Dakota Air Force base last year.
Lawmakers stressed the legislation is not meant to affect anyone living in Florida. The bills would prohibit anyone living in China from acquiring land or buildings in Florida if they’re not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
