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Idaho measure would force foreign adversaries to register, sell agricultural and mineral holdings
Summary
A proposed statutory request would require entities identified as foreign adversaries to register certain land and mineral holdings within 60 days and sell within 180 days, and would restrict purchases or leases near military training ranges; sponsor framed the bill as a national-security measure.
Representative Ted Hill (District 14) introduced RS 32150C2, saying the draft would require foreign adversaries who own agricultural land, mining claims or mineral rights to register ownership within 60 days and sell within 180 days of the legislation’s enactment.
“Any foreign adversaries that own agricultural land, mining claims or mineral rights must register this ownership within 60 days and sell within 180 days of enactment of this legislation,” Representative Hill said.
Hill told the committee the bill would allow the Attorney General to foreclose properties through district courts if owners fail to comply. He described the proposal as building on earlier Idaho law that prohibits foreign governments and foreign adversaries from purchasing certain lands. “If they do not, they will be foreclosed by the Attorney General through the district courts,” Hill said.
Hill also said the measure would prohibit the lease or purchase of land or dwellings near specific military training ranges in the state. He said his approach narrows the geographic scope rather than adopting federal proposals discussed nationally. “What Nevada did is they went out and actually confiscated that land over a period of time,” Hill told the committee, describing efforts to keep ranges free of potential surveillance activity.
Committee members questioned the sponsor about specifics. Representative Alfieri asked what changed from earlier drafts; Hill said he tied the foreign-adversary definition to federal guidance in Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations and cited a provision shown in the bill. Hill said he updated the bill’s liquidation language to prioritize lienholders. Representative Mickelson asked whether private sales or leases could become backdoors to preserve corporate operations; Hill acknowledged such arrangements could occur and said the federal government might act as well.
Other members raised concerns about the bill’s whistleblower provision and how it might be litigated. Representative Schubin asked whether the whistleblower incentive would encourage harassment of businesses; Hill said the whistleblower mechanism is intended to surface serious, verifiable ownership concerns and that the Attorney General would evaluate claims.
Representative Holtzclaw moved to introduce RS 32150C2; the committee voted by voice and the motion carried.
The measure remains at an introductory stage. Committee members asked Hill to return for further hearings to address definitions, enforcement and potential legal challenges.
