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119-s-845119th CongressWALLET

Farmland Security Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

Introduced

Summary

Tougher enforcement of foreign investment rules in U.S. farmland. This bill would boost penalties, require stronger USDA audits and training, mandate annual research and reporting on foreign land ownership, and authorize modest funding to support those activities.

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  • Families and rural communities: Would direct USDA research and annual reports on how foreign purchases and leasing affect family farms, rural communities, and the domestic food supply.
  • Foreign investors and shell corporations: Would create a special penalty for foreign-owned shell corporations and allow USDA to assess a civil penalty equal to 100% of the fair-market value for such violations. A shell that fixes a defective filing within 60 days of USDA notice can avoid that penalty.
  • USDA oversight and funding: Would require annual audits of at least 10% of AFIDA reports and yearly training for state and county staff, and it would authorize $2.0 million per year for FY2025–2030 to carry out these duties.

*Would authorize $2.0 million per year for FY2025–2030, increasing federal spending by about $12.0 million over that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher penalties for foreign shell owners

If enacted, the bill would create a special civil penalty for foreign "shell corporations" that break farmland reporting rules. The penalty would equal 100% of the fair market value of the land interest on the date of assessment. A "shell corporation" would mean an entity with no or only nominal operations. The shell could avoid the penalty if it fixed a defective filing or filed within 60 days after the Secretary's notice.

Funding for farmland enforcement

If enacted, the bill would authorize $2.0 million to be appropriated to the Secretary for each fiscal year 2025 through 2030. The money would support enforcement, audits, training, and research under the bill. Actual spending would require later appropriations.

Stronger audits, training, and reports

If enacted, the bill would require annual oversight and research on foreign farmland reporting. The Agriculture Department would audit at least 10% of AFIDA reports each year. It would provide yearly training for State and county staff to find farmland that should be reported but is not. The Secretary would report research findings to Congress within 180 days of enactment and every year after. Research topics include foreign leasing, purchases by foreign-owned shell corporations, and foreign ownership of farm production.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

WI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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