SPONSOR: Irwin
Beginning August 28, 2026, this bill requires any sale or transfer of agricultural land by an alien or foreign business to be reported, as defined in the bill, to the Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General 30 days prior to when the sale or transfer is finalized. The Attorney General must review and approve or reject any sale or transfer as provided in the bill within the 30 days or the sale or transfer is considered to meet the necessary requirements.
The Department and the Attorney General must review the transactions and investigate acquisitions of agricultural land if the Attorney General believes the acquisition violates these prohibitions. Land acquired in violation is subject to court action and divestiture.
This bill adds the Attorney General, in addition to the Department, to all requirements for enforcement and reporting relating to agricultural land owned by foreign entities.
The bill also prohibits a foreign adversary, foreign terrorist organization, or specially designated global terrorist from possessing or purchasing any land in the State. The Attorney General must institute an action in Circuit Court and if the Court finds the land was acquired in violation of statute, the Court must order the owner to divest of the property withing two years. Violations of this prohibition must be reported to the Attorney General and adhere to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act of 2001.
This bill also repeals the exemption from restrictions on foreign ownership of agricultural land for non-farming uses.
This bill is similar to HB 993 (2025).
Statutes affected: