AFIDA Improvements Act of 2025
The AFIDA Improvements Act of 2025 strengthens reporting requirements and enforcement mechanisms for foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA). The bill lowers the reporting threshold to require disclosure from any foreign person holding at least 1% interest in agricultural land (directly or through multiple entities), rather than the current higher threshold. It also enhances data validation, mandates coordination with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and requires regular updates to AFIDA implementation guidelines. The legislation aims to improve tracking of foreign agricultural land investments to better identify potential national security risks.
Key Points
- 1Lower Reporting Threshold: Requires any foreign person holding at least 1% interest in agricultural land to report, whether through direct ownership or aggregate interests across multiple entities
- 2Enhanced Data Validation: Directs the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC-BC) to validate collected data, ensure compliance, and identify persons subject to civil penalties for non-compliance
- 3CFIUS Information Sharing: Mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a memorandum of understanding with CFIUS within one year to share all relevant foreign ownership reports and submission information
- 4Regular Handbook Updates: Requires updating the Farm Service Agency's "Foreign Investment Disclosure" handbook within one year, incorporating Government Accountability Office recommendations, with subsequent updates every 10 years
- 5Electronic Submission Process: Requires analysis and timeline development for establishing a streamlined electronic submission and retention system for AFIDA disclosures if not completed within one year