Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs continues her record number of vetoes, vetoing SB 1109, which would have prohibited China from buying up land next to military bases and other strategic assets. Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp (R-Surprise), the bill stated that China “may not purchase, own, acquire by grant or devise or have a substantial interest in real property in this state.”
In a letter to the Arizona Legislature, Hobbs claimed the bill was “ineffective at counter-espionage” and did not directly protect military assets. “Additionally, it lacks clear implementation criteria and opens the door to arbitrary enforcement,” she said.
State Representative Alex Kolodin (R-Scottsdale), an attorney who added an amendment to the bill, told KJZZ that he disagreed with Hobbs’ reason for the veto. “How does it lack clear implementation?” he asked. “If the People’s Republic of China owns property in Arizona, they can’t,” he said. “The PRC can’t buy land in Arizona. They can’t own land in Arizona. If the PRC is on the title to the land then it violates the law. And if the PRC isn’t on the title to the land, then it doesn’t violate the law. It couldn’t be clearer.”
Shamp, who said the bill was proposed in response to an attempt by China to lease property near Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, responded to the veto on X, “Governor Katie Hobbs continues to violate her oath of office by endangering the lives and livelihoods of all Arizonans. Luke Air Force Base recently faced this very real danger. It is utterly insane that Arizona’s top elected official would rather be an obstructionist!!!”
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