Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced
Summary
limits nonfarm and corporate ownership of agricultural land to preserve family farms and local ownership. The bill defines who counts as an authorized farmer or entity and creates certification rules, program eligibility limits, and civil and criminal enforcement tools.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
New limits on who can own farmland
If enacted, the bill would bar many corporations and investor entities from buying or holding agricultural land. It would define an "authorized" owner group as having no more than 25 natural-person owners. Owners must be 'actively engaged in farming' by doing farm work or management, not only by providing capital. The bill would still allow listed exceptions like certain research land, some nonprofits, public colleges, fiduciary and heirs' arrangements, and land owned on the date of enactment.
New enforcement: fines and forced sales
If enacted, the Agriculture Secretary would refer violations to the U.S. Attorney General for investigation and court action. Courts could order divestiture, and a one-year divestiture period would be filed with county recorders; failure to divest could lead to a public sale. The Secretary could assess civil penalties up to twice the land's fair market value per violation. A person who knowingly breaks the rules could face up to five years in prison and fines. State attorneys general could sue too and seek daily penalties up to $3,000 per day, capped at the greater of $1,000,000 or the land's fair market value. Land gained by debt collection or similar processes must be disposed of within five years and may not be farmed except under lease to an authorized entity during that period.
New farm ownership paperwork rules
If enacted, buyers of farm land would have to sign a sworn acquisition affidavit when they buy. Beginning with the first tax year after enactment, owners would file an annual affidavit with their Federal tax return. The USDA and the Farm Credit System would require proof of compliance before giving program benefits or loans. The bill would also require the USDA to publish a yearly report of violations found from those affidavits and documents.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov