On October 6, 2025, Governor Kelly Ayotte signed two Executive Orders to prevent foreign adversaries of the United States like China, Russia, and Iran from accessing data or purchasing land or property in New Hampshire.

“China, Russia, Iran and other countries like them should not be doing business in the State of New Hampshire — it’s as simple as that,” said Governor Ayotte. “We must do everything we can to protect our state from foreign adversaries, and it starts with making sure they cannot access sensitive data, do business, or purchase property here. Under my administration, New Hampshire will always do our part to keep America safe.”

The orders signed today will strengthen a new state law that bans regime-affiliated individuals or entities from certain countries — including China, Russia, Iran, Syria, and North Korea — from owning, leasing, or controlling property in New Hampshire.

Executive Order 2025-04 protects New Hampshire’s computer systems from security threats linked to foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. The order bans state agencies from buying or using certain technologies made by those countries, sets up new rules to prevent risky software and hardware from being used, and requires regular updates to a public list of banned technologies.

Executive Order 2025-05 directs state agencies and employees to ensure that no foreign principal from those countries is involved in any transactions involving state-owned real estate, to understand their legal obligations, and to report any such transactions to the New Hampshire Department of Justice