After Leaders for a Better Louisiana urges voters to vote “no” on Amendment 8, we are now hearing from the author of that amendment. Rosepine Representative Chuck Owen says Amendment 8 would prohibit a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary from seizing private property for necessary purposes, known as expropriation.
“I believe the citizens of Louisiana need to make a clear statement that entities who are associated with our foreign adversaries shall never be allowed to expropriate property in in the State of Louisiana,” Owen said.
Owen says according to language in the current law, “foreign entities” are prohibited from expropriating property. He says while the term “foreign entities” could mean someone from across the Atlantic or across the country, his amendment would clarify that as “foreign adversaries” as defined by the U.S. Treasury Department.
“What we do have is something that’s very clear and very easily referenced is who our foreign adversaries are. Denmark’s not an adversary, but China and Russia and Iran are,” Owen noted.
Owen says while it has not happened in Louisiana, allowing a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary to get its hands on land in Louisiana could have a devastating ripple effect.
“If someone from one of those countries becomes an investor in a utility or someone like that, it may have the potential to conduct expropriation. That needs to be off the table,” Owen explained.
Better Louisiana says it opposes Amendment 8 because since it mentions “agents of foreign adversaries,” it could end up including business associations or economic development organizations. That, it says, could open the door for lengthy and expensive legal challenges.
