Bill > HB0219

This bill requires foreign persons purchasing agricultural land in Tennessee to submit a duplicate copy of their foreign land ownership report to the state's Commissioner of Agriculture, in addition to the existing federal reporting requirement under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). The bill defines "foreign persons" broadly, including individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, businesses created under foreign laws, and entities with significant foreign ownership or control. If a foreign person fails to file the required report with the state, the Attorney General can seek a civil penalty up to 25% of the fair market value of the agricultural land and can bring legal action in the county where the land is located. The reporting requirement will remain in effect until the federal AFIDA is repealed, at which point the state law will automatically expire. The Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized to create administrative rules to implement this act, with rules to be established according to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. The bill takes effect immediately for rule-making purposes and will apply to reports filed on or after July 1, 2025, with the goal of increasing transparency and oversight of foreign land ownership in Tennessee.

Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0219&ga=114