Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 1438
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1438Agriculture and Food
Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 18· LAST ACTION FEB 18
READING
10MIN
COSPONSORS
17
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it addresses concerns about national security and food security by controlling who can own and influence America's food production resources. If this bill becomes law, it would prevent foreign governments identified as adversaries from gaining control over U.S. agricultural land, which could be seen as a way to protect the nation's food supply and strategic assets from potential foreign influence or disruption.
Currently, there are some restrictions on foreign ownership of land, but this bill specifically targets certain countries and strengthens the oversight. If it doesn't pass, entities associated with these foreign governments could continue to acquire U.S. agricultural land and potentially participate in federal farm programs, which proponents argue could pose risks. The increased transparency through public databases would also allow voters to see exactly who owns agricultural land in the U.S., which isn't as easily accessible today.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Prohibits individuals or entities associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia (referred to as 'covered persons') from purchasing or leasing any agricultural land in the United States, whether public or private.
This directly limits land acquisition by specific foreign actors identified as potential national security concerns.
PROVISION 02
Prevents 'covered persons' who own or lease agricultural land from participating in most Department of Agriculture programs, with limited exceptions for food safety and health/labor programs.
This aims to reduce financial benefits or influence these foreign entities might gain from federal agricultural support.
PROVISION 03
Amends the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA) to require reporting of foreign 'security interests' (like mortgages) and all 'leases,' regardless of their duration, in agricultural land.
This expands the scope of foreign land ownership and control that must be disclosed to the U.S. government, providing a more complete picture.
PROVISION 04
Increases civil penalties for failing to disclose foreign agricultural land holdings under AFIDA to between 15% and 30% of the land's fair market value and requires a lien on the land until the penalty is paid.
These stronger penalties and mandatory liens aim to deter non-compliance and ensure accountability for foreign entities that do not report their holdings.
PROVISION 05
Requires the Department of Agriculture to publish all reported foreign agricultural land investment data as public, human-readable, and machine-readable datasets on an internet database, updated within 30 days of receipt.
This provision significantly increases transparency, allowing the public and researchers to easily access information about foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Voters should care about this bill because it addresses concerns about national security and food security by controlling who can own and influence America's food production resources. If this bill becomes law, it would prevent foreign governments identified as adversaries from gaining control over U.S. agricultural land, which could be seen as a way to protect the nation's food supply and strategic assets from potential foreign influence or disruption.
Currently, there are some restrictions on foreign ownership of land, but this bill specifically targets certain countries and strengthens the oversight. If it doesn't pass, entities associated with these foreign governments could continue to acquire U.S. agricultural land and potentially participate in federal farm programs, which proponents argue could pose risks. The increased transparency through public databases would also allow voters to see exactly who owns agricultural land in the U.S., which isn't as easily accessible today.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Prohibits individuals or entities associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia (referred to as 'covered persons') from purchasing or leasing any agricultural land in the United States, whether public or private.
This directly limits land acquisition by specific foreign actors identified as potential national security concerns.
med
Prevents 'covered persons' who own or lease agricultural land from participating in most Department of Agriculture programs, with limited exceptions for food safety and health/labor programs.
This aims to reduce financial benefits or influence these foreign entities might gain from federal agricultural support.
high
Amends the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA) to require reporting of foreign 'security interests' (like mortgages) and all 'leases,' regardless of their duration, in agricultural land.
This expands the scope of foreign land ownership and control that must be disclosed to the U.S. government, providing a more complete picture.
med
Increases civil penalties for failing to disclose foreign agricultural land holdings under AFIDA to between 15% and 30% of the land's fair market value and requires a lien on the land until the penalty is paid.
These stronger penalties and mandatory liens aim to deter non-compliance and ensure accountability for foreign entities that do not report their holdings.
high
Requires the Department of Agriculture to publish all reported foreign agricultural land investment data as public, human-readable, and machine-readable datasets on an internet database, updated within 30 days of receipt.
This provision significantly increases transparency, allowing the public and researchers to easily access information about foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land.
Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of each report.
Secretary of Agriculture to publish human-readable and machine-readable datasets of all reported foreign agricultural land investment data on an internet database.
As set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705)
A person that knowingly violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of the prohibition on purchase/lease of agricultural land by covered persons or any related regulation, license, or order.
civil
Not less than 15 percent, or exceed 30 percent, of the fair market value of the interest in the agricultural land with respect to which the violation occurred. A lien shall be placed on the land until the penalty is paid.
A person that violates the reporting requirements under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA).
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Agricultural land
Land used for farming, ranching, or forestry purposes, including forests, grazing lands, and land used to grow crops. The bill specifically refers to the existing definition in the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 and includes land used for ranching.
Covered person
An individual or entity that is owned by, controlled by, or subject to the direction of the governments of Iran, North Korea, the People's Republic of China, or the Russian Federation. This definition specifically excludes U.S. citizens and individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.
Foreign adversary
A foreign government that is considered a threat to the national security of the United States. For the purpose of this bill, this term specifically refers to Iran, North Korea, the People's Republic of China, and the Russian Federation.
Security interest
A legal claim or right given by a borrower to a lender over property (like land) as security for a loan. If the borrower defaults, the lender can take possession of the property. This bill expands reporting requirements to include these interests.
Lien
A legal right or claim against property by a creditor as security for a debt or penalty. If the debt or penalty is not paid, the property can be seized or sold. This bill requires a lien to be placed on agricultural land until certain penalties are paid.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
FEB 18, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
FEB 18, 25
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Various federal initiatives, subsidies, and services administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which can include financial assistance, conservation programs, crop insurance, and research grants for farmers and agricultural entities.
