MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

House Substitute for Senate Bill No. 172

An Act concerning real property; relating to certain lands and military installations; creating the Kansas land and military installation protection act; prohibiting foreign principals from countries of concern from holding any interest in certain real property in this state; authorizing the fusion center oversight board to adopt rules and regulations to add or remove federally designated foreign terrorist organizations from the definition of country of concern; prohibiting foreign principals from countries of concern from receiving any economic development program benefits; amending K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 60-4104 and 60-4106 and repealing the existing sections.

Message to the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

While I agree that it is important for our state to implement stronger protections against foreign adversaries, this legislation contains multiple provisions that are likely unconstitutional and cause unintended consequences.

Many of the provisions in House Substitute for Senate Bill 172 are overly broad and not narrowly tailored to enhance our state’s security while limiting the disruption of legitimate investment and business relationships. Additionally, the retroactive nature of this legislation raises further serious constitutional concerns. I am not willing to sign a bill that has the potential to hurt the state’s future prosperity and economic development.

If the Legislature is serious about protecting Kansans from foreign adversaries, it should consider more narrow, forward-looking proposals that are focused on bad actors while ensuring legitimate business relationships with potential trading partners and small businesses are not impacted.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Substitute for Senate Bill 172.

Laura Kelly, Governor

Dated May 10, 2024.