DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday signed SF 2204, a bill that places greater restrictions on foreign ownership of Iowa farmland, into law.
“Iowa’s laws on foreign ownership of land have long been recognized as some of the strongest in the nation, with other states looking to us when crafting their own policies. Yet, in the decades since we first addressed this issue, adversaries like China have grown significantly more aggressive on the world stage, constantly looking for any opening to assert themselves at the expense of our country. One all-too-common weapon in this battle is the purchase of American farmland,” Reynolds said in a released statement.
“Our state’s fertile soil and unmatched production capacity make us a natural target for this strategy. Our farm families produce 10 percent of the nation’s food supply and Iowa ranks as America’s top producer of biofuels. That makes us a natural leader in the race to stave off the evolving threat to American agriculture. When Iowa speaks, the country listens. And with this bill our message is unmistakable: American soil belongs in American hands,” she added.
The new law grants the state attorney general subpoena power to investigate land ownership. SF 2204 also increases legal penalties if foreign entities purchasing land do not file with the Iowa Secretary of State or falsify a report.
Attorney General Brenna Bird said Iowa farmland belongs to Americans.
“Today’s bill signing ensures valuable Iowa farmland will be protected from foreign adversaries and that my office has the tools it needs to investigate violations. While Iowa’s laws are already strong, this extra line of defense will make them even stronger,” she said.
Bird encouraged anyone with information about foreign ownership of farmland to contact her office.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig applauded the bill signing.
“Keeping Iowa’s precious and productive farmland in the hands of Americans is an issue I’ve heard about continually as I have traveled our state and I share Iowans’ deep passion for protecting this valuable resource. With the additional enforcement, deterrence and disclosure tools and requirements that are incorporated through this legislation, Iowa’s prohibition on the foreign ownership of farmland will continue to be a model for other states,” he said.
The bill was passed unanimously in both the Iowa House and Iowa Senate in February.
Read the new law below:
SF2204
