Committee introduces bill to force sale of land owned by 'foreign adversaries,' create military sanctuary

Representative Ted Hill of District 14 (Eagle and Emmett) told the Idaho House State Affairs Committee that RS31901 would require foreign adversaries who own agricultural land to sell within 180 days or face foreclosure, and would create a designated military sanctuary in southwest Idaho to protect training and operations.

"Any foreign adversaries that own any agricultural land and we identify that, we will they will be required to sell that within 180 days or we will foreclose on it," Hill said. He described foreign adversaries to include China and Russia as primary targets and said the bill would bar such entities from buying or even renting property in the sanctuary area. Hill cited examples from other states and said Arkansas had taken action involving seed-company land; he specifically named Syngenta as "a company in Nampa" to illustrate local relevance.

Hill also described an enforcement mechanism that includes whistleblowers and a distribution of proceeds: "30% goes to the whistleblower and the rest goes to the, I think the district court to be distributed," he said, noting he would confirm exact language at a later hearing. He said he consulted with the Attorney General and expects judicial procedures to run through district courts.

Committee members pressed on definitions and governance. Representative Alfieri and others worried about naming specific countries and asked how the bill would be updated as international relations change. Representative Polanco pointed to draft language that allows the governor to deem an entity an adversary, asking whether that would address the concern; Hill responded that such a provision could close the loop. Representative Barbieri and Representative Holzclaw urged tying the term to federal designations or otherwise clarifying definitions to avoid political whiplash.

Representative Palmer moved to introduce RS31901. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript records no roll-call tally.

Hill said the bill builds on earlier Idaho actions that restricted foreign purchases of agricultural, forest and water resources, and that it would add new authorities to force sales and establish a sanctuary to protect military operations and airspace. The committee directed the sponsor to provide clarified language and details at the print/hearing stage, including exact foreclosure distribution and whether the bill should reference federal lists or rely on gubernatorial determinations.