Bill > HR1438

This bill prohibits the purchase or lease of agricultural land in the United States by individuals or entities associated with specific foreign governments, namely Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia. The legislation defines "agricultural land" broadly, including farmland and ranching properties, and identifies "covered persons" as entities owned, controlled, or directed by these governments, while explicitly excluding U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The bill empowers the President to use existing economic powers to prevent such land acquisitions, with potential penalties including fines and economic sanctions for violations. Additionally, the bill restricts covered persons' participation in most Department of Agriculture programs, with limited exceptions for food safety and health-related initiatives. The legislation also enhances reporting and transparency requirements, mandating that the Secretary of Agriculture publish detailed, machine-readable datasets about foreign land ownership and requiring periodic reports from the Secretary of Agriculture, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Government Accountability Office to analyze risks, motives, and potential national security implications of foreign agricultural land ownership. The bill aims to protect U.S. agricultural resources from potential foreign strategic interference while providing comprehensive oversight and monitoring of foreign land investments.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1438/all-info