The bill amends existing laws regarding the ownership of real property and agricultural land in Arkansas, specifically targeting foreign-party-controlled businesses. It prohibits such businesses from leasing or acquiring interests in public or private land, and defines "critical infrastructure" to include various essential facilities and services, such as military installations, utilities, and communication nodes. Additionally, the bill establishes that prohibited foreign parties cannot hold interests in agricultural land located within a ten-mile radius of critical infrastructure.

The legislation also modifies the timeframe for prohibited foreign-party-controlled businesses to divest from any land they unlawfully hold, reducing the period from two years to one year. It mandates that if these businesses fail to divest, the Attorney General must initiate legal action for judicial foreclosure of the land. Furthermore, the bill introduces penalties for prohibited foreign parties or their agents who retain agricultural land in violation of the law, classifying such actions as felonies punishable by imprisonment or fines.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1680 V2 - 3-31-2025 11:47 AM: 18-11-110(a), 18-11-802, 03-31-2025, 2-3-102, 18-11-803, 18-11-804, 18-11-804(b), 18-11-804(e)
Old version HB1680 Original - 3-4-2025 04:32 PM: 18-11-110(a), 18-11-802, 2-3-102, 18-11-803, 18-11-804, 18-11-804(b), 18-11-804(e)
HB 1680: 18-11-110(a), 18-11-802, 2-3-102, 18-11-803, 18-11-804, 18-11-804(b), 18-11-804(e)
Act 811: 18-11-110(a), 18-11-802, 03-31-2025, 2-3-102, 18-11-803, 18-11-804, 18-11-804(b), 18-11-804(e)