Bill > H0012

This bill aims to protect military installations and state assets by prohibiting foreign adversaries from purchasing certain types of land and property in Idaho. Specifically, the bill restricts foreign principals from countries deemed adversarial (including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria) from owning or controlling agricultural land, forest land, water rights, mining claims, or mineral rights in the state. The legislation requires any existing foreign-owned properties to be divested within 180 days, with foreign principals mandated to register their land holdings with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. The bill introduces a whistleblower provision that allows individuals to report violations and receive up to 30% of the proceeds from land sales resulting from these violations. Additionally, the bill prohibits foreign principals from purchasing or controlling property within specific geographic coordinates near military installations. The law provides mechanisms for the attorney general to commence legal action to force divestiture of prohibited land holdings, and includes provisions for judicial foreclosure if foreign entities do not comply. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found invalid, the rest of the legislation remains in force.

Government Affairs

State Affairs Committee (H)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0012/