LEGISLATION
The topic of foreign ownership of agricultural land has emerged as another state-level contentious issue. With increasing instances of foreign entities acquiring significant tracts of U.S. farmland — foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land grew to about 40 million acres in 2021, per U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates — lawmakers and agricultural stakeholders are questioning the implications for national security, food sovereignty and local economies. This concern has prompted a closer examination of existing policies and the potential for new regulations to ensure that land ownership aligns with national interests.
Indiana, for example, recently introduced House Bill 1183, which seeks to restrict land ownership near military bases by entities from six adversarial nations, including China and Russia, and includes provisions regarding dual citizenship and proximity restrictions to military installations. As the bill aimed at protecting Indiana’s farmland from ownership by foreign adversaries nears final approval, it has sparked a late debate over economic development implications. Senate sponsors, voiced concerns regarding exemptions for a specific agricultural venture in northern Indiana amid revelations that 11 Chinese companies are eyeing projects within the state.
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Senator Jean Leising, R-Indiana, a key proponent of the bill, emphasized the statewide importance of security over individual agricultural opportuni- ties, highlighting a potential homeland security risk with exemptions. State Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, echoing these sentiments and highlight-
Engaging with the Irrigation Association offers a direct route for those interested in state legislative issues particularly within agriculture, says Nathan Bowen, Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia, advocacy and public affairs vice president. By participating in IA initiatives, individuals can join efforts to influence policy, access educational resources and collaborate on solutions that advance water stewardship and enhance agricultural productivity. This involvement provides a platform for stakeholders to shape a sustainable future for agriculture, advocating for policies and practices that ensure the health of the industry and the safety of its community.
“As we navigate these complex discussions, our focus remains steadfast on empowering the agricultural community for the future,” says Bowen. “It’s about creating a framework where innovation, farmer autonomy and safety converge to foster a sustainable and secure agricultural landscape.”
14 Irrigation TODAY | Spring 2024
IN 2024, THERE ARE 21 RIGHT-TO- REPAIR-RELATED BILLS INTRODUCED IN STATE LEGISLATURES FROM ALASKA TOWEST VIRGINIA.
ing the bill’s national security stakes, urged for its passage.
“As [State] Secretary of Agriculture, I urge the Senate to pass HB 1183 to prohibit foreign adversaries from buying our farmland and land near military bases. China can buy our crops, not our farmland. We must act to protect our national security and agricultural freedom,” Crouch’s campaign wrote on X.
The Government Accountability Office also researched the issue and made six recommendations to the Department of Agriculture aimed at enhancing oversight and transparency of foreign investments in agricultural land. These include
• establishing a process for providing detailed Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act transaction data to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. member agencies.
• clarifying instructions for completing AFIDA responsibilities.
• conducting an analysis to determine the feasibility of creating an AFIDA online submission system and public database.
• improving the verification and monitoring of collected AFIDA data.
• continuing data mining activities to identify suspected non-filers.
• ensuring AFIDA reporting is complete by incorporating country information from all relevant foreign persons.
These steps are intended to strengthen the framework for managing foreign investments, safeguarding national interests in the agricultural sector, according to the GAO’s report.
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