Bill > HB0291

This bill amends existing Utah law to strengthen restrictions on land sales to "restricted foreign entities," which are defined as companies identified by the U.S. Secretary of Defense as military companies, entities owned or controlled by governments of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia, or their affiliates, and any entity where these restricted entities hold a significant ownership stake (reduced from 51% to 25%). The bill clarifies that a "conservation lease" is not considered a conservation easement and expands the definition of "land" to include various types of real property within the state, excluding federal government-owned land. Key changes include empowering the Department of Public Safety to investigate suspected violations, requiring county recorders to report suspicious land conveyances, and establishing a process where the department will notify parties involved in a questionable land transaction, giving them 30 days to provide evidence to overcome a presumption that they are a restricted foreign entity. If the presumption is not overcome, the department will proceed with facilitating the sale of the land interest, and penalties, including daily fines, can be imposed for non-compliance. The bill also prohibits purchasing or leasing land on behalf of a restricted foreign entity and requires individuals purchasing land to disclose if they have served in the military of a restricted foreign entity, with violations of these provisions being third-degree felonies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0291.html