Bill > H0221

This bill aims to protect military installations and state assets by imposing significant restrictions on property ownership by foreign principals from what the bill defines as "foreign adversary" countries (specifically China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and the Maduro regime in Venezuela). The legislation prohibits these foreign principals from purchasing or holding controlling interests in agricultural land, forest land, water rights, mining claims, or mineral rights in Idaho, with only very limited exceptions for minimal indirect ownership through publicly traded companies. The bill requires foreign principals who currently own such assets to divest within 180 days and mandates registration with state agencies for any existing land or mineral rights holdings. Additionally, the bill creates a new section prohibiting foreign principals from purchasing or controlling property within specific geographic coordinates near military installations, with a similar divestiture requirement. The legislation includes a whistleblower provision that allows individuals to report violations and potentially receive 30% of the proceeds from any resulting asset sales. Violating entities face potential judicial foreclosure, and the bill provides detailed definitions of key terms like "foreign principal" and "foreign adversary" to clarify its scope. The bill is set to 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 remains in force.

Government Affairs

State Affairs Committee (H)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0221/