What does Preamble of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To ban new corporate ownership of agricultural land, and for other purposes,' aims to prohibit new corporate ownership of agricultural land. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 27, 2026.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026

What does FINDINGS. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to the increasing corporate ownership of agricultural land in the United States. It states that maintaining the family farm system is a longstanding U.S. policy and essential for social, economic, and national security. The text highlights that farmland is a critical resource and a source of generational wealth. Since the 2008 financial crisis, corporations and pension funds have significantly increased their investment in farmland. The number of institutionally-owned farm properties has risen more than three-fold, and the market value has increased from less than $2 billion to over $16 billion between 2005 and 2025. Corporate investors are described as prioritizing short-term profits over long-term land conservation and having less interest in benefiting local communities. Farmland prices have nearly doubled since 2005, disadvantaging independent family farmers who may be outbid by corporate interests. The expansion of corporate ownership is seen as threatening the future use of agricultural land and detrimental to the welfare and national security of the United States. The operational scope and economic impacts of corporate farmland ownership are increasingly interstate and affect rural communities. The section concludes that there is a national public interest in regulating corporate ownership of agricultural land.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section defines terms used in the Act, including 'actively engaged in farming', 'agricultural land', and 'authorized farmer or rancher cooperative'. The term 'actively engaged in farming' refers to individuals who make management decisions or perform physical work contributing to farm or forest operations. The section also defines 'authorized legal entity' and 'unauthorized legal entity' based on their structure and ownership. Other defined terms include 'beneficial owner', 'corporation', 'fiduciary capacity', and 'multilayer subsidiary entity'. The definitions provided apply to various entities, including natural persons, corporations, and trusts.

What does RESTRICTIONS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND HOLDINGS AND EXCEPTIONS. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section restricts unauthorized legal entities from acquiring or holding ownership interests in agricultural land. Several exceptions are outlined, allowing acquisitions for purposes such as bona fide encumbrances, research, and experimentation. Exceptions also include land acquired by public institutions, nonprofit corporations supporting higher education, municipal corporations, and nonprofit legal entities with 501(c)(3) status. Legal entities acquiring land to collect debts or enforce liens must dispose of the land within five years. Land acquired in a fiduciary capacity, by heirs' property owners, or by authorized farmer/rancher cooperatives are also exempt. Research or experimental purposes require that commercial sales be incidental or less than 25% of gross sales. If land is acquired by process of law, it cannot be used for farming during a five-year period unless leased to an authorized entity.

What does COMPLIANCE. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

Legal entities must certify compliance with this Act when acquiring agricultural land Legal entities with agricultural land ownership must file an affidavit with their Federal tax return Compliance documentation is required for USDA program and Farm Credit System eligibility Unauthorized entities are ineligible for USDA programs and the Farm Credit System The Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress on discovered violations

What does ENFORCEMENT. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines enforcement mechanisms for violations of the Act. If the Secretary determines a violation, they must report it to the Attorney General. The Attorney General may investigate and initiate legal action to require divestiture of the agricultural land. The Attorney General must notify the recorder of deeds of any pending action. A legal entity has one year to divest land acquired in violation of the Act; failure to do so results in public sale. The Attorney General may enjoin prospective or threatened violations. Civil penalties may be assessed against violators, up to twice the fair market value of the land per violation. Criminal penalties, including imprisonment, may be imposed for knowing violations. State Attorneys General can bring civil actions on behalf of residents to enjoin practices, compel divestiture, and obtain damages. State Attorneys General can impose civil penalties, calculated based on the number of days of non-compliance and a maximum daily amount determined by the court, with a maximum total liability. State Attorneys General retain their investigatory powers.

What does STATE AUTHORITY. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

Congress authorizes States to regulate agricultural land ownership States can impose restrictions at least as restrictive as this Act Regulations may include more stringent definitions of 'actively engaged in farming'

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Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/27/2026 · Introduced: 4/27/2026

Author: Jill Tokuda (D-HI)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill prohibits new acquisitions of agricultural land by unauthorized legal entities, including corporations, to limit corporate ownership.
Certain entities are exempt from the restrictions, including public institutions, nonprofit organizations, and those acquiring land for research or debt collection (with a five-year disposal requirement).
Legal entities acquiring agricultural land must certify compliance and file annual affidavits with their federal tax returns.
The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the Act, with potential actions including divestiture orders, public sales, injunctions, and civil and criminal penalties.
States are authorized to enact regulations regarding agricultural land ownership that are at least as restrictive as the federal requirements outlined in this Act.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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