Representative Ted Hill, sponsor and a member of the Idaho House from District 14 (Eagle and Emmett), told the House State Affairs Committee he is introducing RS31901 to expand existing restrictions on foreign purchases of agricultural land and other critical resources and to require the sale of holdings owned by identified "foreign adversaries."

"Now of any foreign adversaries that own any agricultural land and we identify that, they will be required to sell that within 180 days or we will foreclose on it," Hill told the committee. He said the measure would also create a sanctuary in southwest Idaho — a restricted area intended to protect military operations — and would bar purchase or even rental by those adversaries.

Hill said enforcement will include a whistleblower mechanism used in other states; the draft directs a share of proceeds to the whistleblower, and Hill said "30% goes to the whistleblower and the rest goes to the, I think the district court to be distributed." He acknowledged he would confirm specific distribution language at a subsequent hearing.

Committee members focused on how the statute defines "foreign adversary" and whether the designation should track federal determinations or a gubernatorial determination. Representative Alfieri raised concern that a static country list (the draft lists China, Russia, Iran and others) could become outdated; other members suggested tying the definition to a federal list or to the governor’s authority to designate an adversary to avoid repeated statutory changes.

Representative Holtzclaw proposed amending the draft so the determination would follow federal declarations; Representative Polanco observed the draft includes a clause allowing the governor to deem an entity an adversary, which the sponsor said could close the loop. Representative Boyle noted prior state bills criminalized only government ownership rather than individuals and urged caution because international relationships can change.

The committee approved a motion to introduce RS31901 for a full hearing. Representative Palmer moved to introduce the RS; the transcript does not show a recorded second. The motion carried by voice vote.

What remains: The sponsor and staff were asked to clarify the bill’s definitions and the distribution of proceeds from foreclosure at the full (print) hearing. No committee vote on final passage occurred; the committee only voted to introduce the draft for further consideration.