DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill regulating the oversight of foreign-owned agricultural land in Iowa into law Tuesday at the Capitol.
The legislation, which Reynolds introduced in January, gives Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird power to subpoena foreign landowners when the state believes them to be in violation of land ownership regulations.
Foreign landowners would be required to report any other land in other U.S. states, exceeding 250 acres, to Iowa state leaders, and also requires Secretary of State Paul Pate to create a list annually of foreign-owned land in Iowa for officials.
Each time the state discovers a violation, foreign land owners will receive a fine of up to 25% of their property's value, a potentially stricter penalty than before, which fined landowners $2,000 per violation for failure to register their out-of-state land properly.
Fines also increased to $10,000 for foreign landowners who fail to report their land holdings every two years.
"When Iowa speaks, the country listens," she said. "And with this bill our message is unmistakable. American soil belongs in American hands ... These policies ensure that Iowa can continue to deter hostile nations from attempting to undermine or co-op the ag, agriculture dominance Iowa farm families have worked so hard to build."
As a bill, the House and Senate both passed the legislation unanimously, a rare bill with full-bipartisan support.
"If you are a foreign land owner, we will know who you are," said Sen. Dan Zumbach, R-Delaware County. "We will know where you are, we will know what you are up to and we will know your intentions."
"Once again, Iowa's leading the way," Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig added.