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Bill > HB1680


AR HB1680

AR HB1680
To Prevent A Foreign-party-controlled Business From Leasing Land; And To Prohibit A Prohibited Foreign Party From Holding An Interest In Real Property Or Agricultural Land In Certain Circumstances.


summary

Introduced
03/04/2025
In Committee
04/08/2025
Crossed Over
04/03/2025
Passed
04/15/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/17/2025

Introduced Session

95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)

Bill Summary

AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY AND AGRICULTURAL LAND; TO PROHIBIT A FOREIGN-PARTY-CONTROLLED BUSINESS FROM LEASING AN INTEREST IN LAND; TO DEFINE "CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE" AS USED IN RELATION TO FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF LAND; TO PROHIBIT A PROHIBITED FOREIGN PARTY FROM HOLDING AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY OR AGRICULTURAL LAND IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

AI Summary

This bill amends Arkansas law to impose stricter restrictions on foreign-party ownership and leasing of land, particularly near critical infrastructure. The legislation defines "critical infrastructure" as physical or virtual systems that, if damaged, would significantly impact national security, economic stability, public health, or safety, including military installations, power facilities, utilities, bridges, tunnels, and communication networks. The bill prohibits a "prohibited foreign party" (which includes citizens or entities from countries subject to specific international arms regulations) from acquiring, purchasing, or leasing agricultural land or land within ten miles of critical infrastructure. The timeframe for divesting such land has been reduced from two years to one year, and violations can result in a felony charge with potential imprisonment up to two years and/or a fine of $15,000. The bill also expands definitions of what constitutes a prohibited foreign party, including entities with significant interests or substantial control held by foreign individuals or governments, and introduces more comprehensive restrictions on land ownership and leasing by such parties. The legislation aims to protect state lands and critical infrastructure from potential foreign control or interference.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (64)

Blake Johnson (R)* DeAnn Vaught (R)* Brandon Achor (R),  Wade Andrews (R),  Sonia Barker (R),  Howard Beaty (R),  Rick Beck (R),  Mary Bentley (R),  Stan Berry (R),  Harlan Breaux (R),  Keith Brooks (R),  Karilyn Brown (R),  Matt Brown (R),  Nick Burkes (R),  Rebecca Burkes (R),  Joey Carr (R),  John Carr (R),  Fran Cavenaugh (R),  Paul Childress (R),  Cameron Cooper (R),  Bruce Cozart (R),  Cindy Crawford (R),  James Eaton (R),  Brian Evans (R),  Tony Furman (R),  Jimmy Gazaway (R),  Zack Gramlich (R),  Brad Hall (R),  R.J. Hawk (R),  Steve Hollowell (R),  Lee Johnson (R),  Wayne Long (R),  Robin Lundstrum (R),  Roger Lynch (R),  John Maddox (R),  Mindy McAlindon (R),  Rick McClure (R),  Mark McElroy (R),  Richard McGrew (R),  Brit McKenzie (R),  Ron McNair (R),  Jon Milligan (R),  Jeremiah Moore (R),  Jason Nazarenko (R),  Stetson Painter (R),  Shad Pearce (R),  Mark Perry (D),  Aaron Pilkington (R),  Chad Puryear (R),  David Ray (R),  Scott Richardson (R),  Marcus Richmond (R),  Ryan Rose (R),  Johnny Rye (R),  Bart Schulz (R),  Matthew Shepherd (R),  Trey Steimel (R),  Randy Torres (R),  Dwight Tosh (R),  Kendon Underwood (R),  Steve Unger (R),  Steven Walker (R),  Carlton Wing (R),  Jim Wooten (R), 

Last Action

Notification that HB1680 is now Act 811 (on 04/17/2025)

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