Trenton, NJ – A bill introduced in Trenton by Assemblyman Doug Steinhardt seeks to ban companies of foreign countries hostile to America from bidding on infrastructure-related projects in New Jersey.
Bill A3710 prohibits any foreign company created under the laws of foreign adversaries from participating in critical infrastructure projects.
According to the bill, “Critical infrastructure” means property and equipment owned or used by communication networks, electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems, gas distribution systems, water pipelines, and related support facilities that serve multiple customers and residents, including, but not limited to, real and personal property such as buildings, offices, lines, poles, pipes, structures, and equipment.
The definition of “Foreign adversary” means any foreign government determined by the United States Secretary of Commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons.
That could see companies incorporated in countries such as China, Russia and others ineligible to bid on public jobs related to infrastructure if passed.