PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — Governments or nationals from six “bad actor” states would be prohibited from owning agricultural land in South Dakota under a measure passed by the House Tuesday.

HB1231 passed 61 to 6.

Before passage, however, Republican Rep. Scott Odenbach from Spearfish attempted to amend the bill. He said the existing foreign ownership bill passed in 1979 provides more protections for leases and easements than HB1231.

He also noted that in Pres. George Washington’s “Farewell Address,” the Founding Father warned of the nation being too tied to either disliking or being too friendly with foreign countries.

HB1231 would ban ownership by the governments or nationals of Iran, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and China.

Opponents of the amendment said it would upset months of delicate negotiations among ag producers, legislators, and the governor.

The House rejected Odenbach’s amendment, and it failed 17 to 50.

Republican House Majority Leader Will Mortenson from Fort Pierre said the bill was “good policy.”

He said the bill was carefully drawn up to restrict foreign ownership of ag land, particularly closing the entity loophole.

The measure now goes to a Senate committee.