Bill Requiring Foreign Purchases Of Tennessee Land Be Reported To State Will Proceed To House

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

HB0219 passed the House Government Operations Committee on Monday, March 17, and will now head to the full House for a vote. 

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jay Reedy (R-Erin-District 74), requires that foreign purchases of Tennessee land be reported to the Commissioner of Agriculture under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978. 

Failure to report will require the Department of Agriculture to inform the Attorney General of the noncompliance, resulting in a civil penalty of up to 25% of the property’s value.

The legislation clarifies that along with filing a report of a purchase with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Act, “foreign persons” who purchase land in the state must also file with the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture within 90 days of acquisition or transfer.

During Monday’s House Government Operations Committee meeting, it took members less than three minutes to come to a verdict on HB0219. Rep. Reedy introduced the bill and there were no questions from members.

The vote was 10-1 in favor of recommendation, which now sends the bill to the House Calendar and Rules Committee for a date before the full House. 

Representatives voting “Yes” included two Democrats along with Republicans. Those voting in favor were Clemons, Fritts, Helton-Haynes, Lafferty, Maberry, Parkinson, Reedy, Reneau, Rudder, and Sherell.

The lone “No” vote came from Democrat G.A. Hardaway.

The Senate companion, SB0519, is carried by Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield-District 23) and is scheduled for the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee for Wednesday, 3/19. 

To contact members of the Senate committee, please use the information below: 

SB0519 Summary: As introduced, requires foreign persons who purchase land in this state and who file a report of such purchase to the United States department of agriculture under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to also file the report with the commissioner of agriculture.

Sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov, sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov, sen.jessie.seal@capitol.tn.gov, sen.janice.bowling@capitol.tn.gov, sen.heidi.campbell@capitol.tn.gov, sen.bobby.harshbarger@capitol.tn.gov, sen.charlane.oliver@capitol.tn.gov, sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov, sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov

Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.