SE Grand Rapids News

Speaker Pro Tem Rachelle Smit has successfully advanced a bill through the House aimed at restricting foreign-owned applications on government devices. The legislation seeks to prevent foreign entities from collecting sensitive information, as part of a broader initiative to curb foreign influence in Michigan.

"Our enemies abroad are doing everything they can to infiltrate our country and do harm to our residents," said Smit, R-Martin. "Allowing apps operated by our biggest foreign threats on government devices gives bad actors a free pass to access our government systems, sensitive data, and national security information. We must slam the door in their face and show that Michigan has no tolerance for foreign meddling. The passage of our plan to limit foreign influence in Michigan shows that we're not going to sit idly by while bad actors threaten our residents."

The proposed legislation, known as House Bill 4235, would establish the Prohibited Applications on Government-Issued Devices Act. This act would forbid downloading or accessing applications created or owned by certain foreign principals on government-issued devices. Countries of concern include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, and any other entity significantly controlled by these nations.

Additional bills in the legislative package aim to:

- Prevent public schools and universities from accepting grants tied to anti-American agendas from concerning countries.

- Restrict public bodies from entering binding agreements with these countries.

- Block public economic incentives from being awarded to concerning foreign entities.

- Ensure personal health information is stored within the U.S. or Canada.

- Safeguard Michiganders' safety by stopping concerning entities from purchasing land near military bases and critical infrastructure.