AFIDA Improvements Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
Introduced
Summary
Expands foreign ownership disclosure and enforcement for U.S. agricultural land. This bill would broaden who must report foreign stakes in farmland, strengthen USDA data checks and penalties, and force information sharing with national security reviewers and GAO-informed handbook updates.
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- Farmers and U.S. landowners: Would face broader reporting when any foreign person holds at least 1 percent of a property, including direct stakes and aggregated multi-tier ownership. Reporting could increase paperwork for sellers and owners with foreign investors.
- Foreign persons and investors: Would see tighter coverage and enforcement. The Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC-BC) would validate AFIDA (Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act) submissions and help identify cases subject to civil penalties.
- Federal agencies and national security oversight: The Secretary of Agriculture would need memoranda of understanding with CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) within 1 year, update the Farm Service Agency handbook within 1 year and then every 10 years, and analyze a streamlined electronic submission process if not established.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Updated farm investment guidance and e-filing
If enacted, the Secretary would update the Farm Service Agency "Foreign Investment Disclosure" handbook within one year. The update must include GAO's January 18, 2024 recommendations. The handbook would be updated every ten years after that. If a streamlined electronic filing and retention process is not ready in one year, FPAC-BC and FSA would analyze steps and make an implementation timeline with milestones. The Secretary would send that report to the House and Senate Agriculture committees.
Tighter rules for foreign farm owners
If enacted, this bill would require AFIDA reports when more than one foreign person acquires or transfers any interest. It would make each foreign person who holds at least 1% file a report. Indirect ownership through other entities would count toward the 1% test. Security interests would not count. The Secretary would get new investigative powers and FPAC-BC would validate and correct AFIDA data and help find people who may face civil penalties. The Secretary would also have to agree, within one year, to share AFIDA reports and filer identities with CFIUS.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Gary Peters
MI • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov