Committee approves tighter limits on restricted foreign land ownership in HB 291

Representative Perucci presented House Bill 291, which strengthens Utah's restrictions on land acquisitions by restricted foreign entities. The sponsor told the committee the bill lowers the ownership threshold from 51% to 25%, requires the Department of Public Safety to notify suspected entities and give them 30 days to respond, and authorizes a $500-per-day fine for ongoing noncompliance pending divestiture. "So far, we anticipate that about 35,000 acres have been divested," the sponsor said while describing background investigations and prior divestitures; the sponsor also referenced an estimated 38,000 acres initially identified as owned by restricted-entity interests.

Tanner Jensen of the Department of Public Safety told the committee the changes give DPS formal investigative tools (including formal inquiries) and provide necessary enforcement 'teeth' to protect military bases, airports and water infrastructure. During public comment, Willis Lefebvre urged stricter limits on large agricultural tracts and said a $500 daily fine may be inadequate; Erin Winn of the Utah Office of the Attorney General said the AG's office supports giving DPS clearer legal authority in this area. The committee adopted Amendment #1 in Representative Perucci's name unanimously and then passed HB 291 as amended by unanimous voice vote to send it forward for further consideration.