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

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov