Committee advances bill creating process for state receivership and sale of property owned by foreign governments

The Idaho House State Affairs Committee on Tuesday voted to send Senate Bill 1149 to the full House with a do-pass recommendation after a discussion about how to handle property controlled by foreign governments.

The bill would authorize the attorney general to investigate alleged violations and petition a court for receivership, allowing the state to sell property believed to be owned by a foreign government, with sale proceeds handled to protect lienholders and former owners. Representative Judy Boyle presented the bill to the committee.

Why it matters: Title companies and local stakeholders told the committee there is currently no clear remedy when a foreign government controls property in Idaho. Industry witnesses said that uncertainty leaves title companies, sellers and buyers without clear guidance and places an onerous burden on private parties…