H.R.1629 - Farmland Security Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1629, the Farmland Security Act of 2025, amends the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978. The bill aims to enhance the monitoring and regulation of foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land. It increases penalties for non-compliance, especially by shell corporations, and mandates more thorough audits and reporting.
Expected Effects
The act will likely lead to increased scrutiny of foreign investment in agricultural land. It will also increase the cost of non-compliance for foreign entities. The enhanced reporting requirements will provide more data on foreign ownership and leasing of agricultural land.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land.
- Stronger enforcement mechanisms against foreign entities using shell corporations to hide their investments.
- Improved data collection and reporting on foreign agricultural activities.
- Enhanced training for state and county personnel to identify unreported foreign-owned land.
- Greater awareness among policymakers and the public regarding foreign influence in the agricultural sector.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and administrative burden on the Secretary of Agriculture.
- Possible chilling effect on legitimate foreign investment in U.S. agriculture.
- Risk of retaliatory measures from foreign governments.
- The cost of audits and training may strain the USDA's budget, even with the authorized appropriations.
- Potential for the definition of "shell corporation" to be overly broad or vague, leading to unintended consequences.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. The increased reporting and regulation of foreign investment in agricultural land fall under this power. The bill does not appear to infringe on any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).