This bill prevents people and companies connected to the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia from buying or renting farmland in the United States. It applies to both government-owned agricultural land and privately owned farmland. Anyone who tries to break this rule faces civil penalties (like fines) and potentially criminal charges. If someone from these countries already owned or leased farmland before this bill became law, they don't have to sell it, but they would be blocked from participating in most USDA programs like subsidies or loans. The only exceptions allow them to participate in programs related to food safety, worker health and safety, or certain reporting requirements. American citizens and people with permanent legal residency aren't affected by these restrictions. The bill also requires the government to collect more detailed information about foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, including details about leases and financial interests, and the USDA must report to Congress every two years on how much farmland is owned by foreigners.

Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2023

Braun, Mike

Protecting America's Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2023 This bill prohibits persons associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia from purchasing or leasing agricultural land in the United States. Specifically, the President must prohibit any person (individual or entity) owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of these foreign governments from purchasing or leasing (1) public agricultural land that is owned by the United States and administered by a federal department or agency, or (2) private agricultural land that is located in the United States. A person that violates or attempts to violate this prohibition is subject to civil and criminal penalties. This prohibition does not require a person that owns or leases agricultural land as of the date of this bill's enactment to sell that land. Further, the President must prohibit a person associated with these foreign governments and who leases, or who has full or partial ownership of, agricultural land in the United States from participating in Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Exceptions are included to allow for participation in USDA programs related to food safety, the health and labor safety of individuals, or certain reporting and disclosure requirements. The restrictions established by the bill do not apply to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The bill also amends the agriculture foreign investment disclosure reporting requirements to include reporting on security interests and leases. Finally, USDA must submit a report every two years on foreign ownership of agriculture land in the United States.