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HB 816

MILITARY AFFAIRS: Prohibits foreign adversaries from acquiring or owning property near military installations (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Allain and 32 co-sponsors

Prohibits foreign adversaries from directly or indirectly owning, leasing, or obtaining interests in land within 25 miles of Louisiana military installations, with penalties and di

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 816

Summary of HB 816 (Louisiana, 2026) – Military Affairs: Prohibits foreign adversaries from acquiring or owning property near military installations

Purpose and intent

HB 816 aims to restrict foreign adversaries and certain related actors from directly or indirectly acquiring or obtaining interests in land near military installations in Louisiana. The bill creates a specific prohibition on “military-installation-adjacent land” and establishes enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and procedures to protect ownership interests and national security.

Key provisions and changes

  • New statute introduced: Adds Part I of Chapter 1-B to Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S. 9:2717.1.1 through 2717.1.7).
  • Prohibited ownership (R.S. 9:2717.1.1):
    • Forbids a foreign adversary or prohibited foreign actor from directly or indirectly owning, acquiring, leasing, or otherwise obtaining any interest in military-installation-adjacent land.
    • Allows a prohibited foreign actor to sell or convey an ownership interest in such land in Louisiana.
    • Permits reliance on an affidavit from a person intending to acquire or holding an interest asserting they are not a foreign adversary or prohibited foreign actor; misrepresentation could lead to liability for losses suffered by others.
  • Definitions (R.S. 9:2717.1.2):
    • “Controlling interest”: power to direct management/policies, e.g., 50% voting or profits presumed controlling.
    • “Foreign adversary”: as identified by 15 CFR 7.4 and OFAC database; excludes lawfully present permanent residents.
    • “Military installation”: broad list includes Air Force, Space Force, Army, Navy facilities, ranges, labs, radar sites, defense offices, etc.
    • “Military-installation-adjacent land”: property within 25 miles of a military installation.
    • “Prohibited foreign actor”: a corporate entity or similar with a foreign adversary controlling interest.
  • Exceptions (R.S. 9:2717.1.3):
    • Natural persons who are U.S. citizens (including naturalized citizens).
    • Non-citizens who are permanent residents or lawfully present in the U.S.
    • Juridical persons wholly owned by qualified individuals under (1) or (2).
    • Land used as a one-to-four-family residential property purchased by a natural person.
  • Civil penalties and actions (R.S. 9:2717.1.4):
    • Civil penalty of $50,000 plus forfeiture if a prohibited actor does not divest within 1 year after judgment.
    • Penalties go to the Attorney General to offset enforcement costs.
    • Parties may rescind contracts before transfer if a violation is found.
    • AG can seek injunctions to restrain sales or leases; lis pendens filed within 3 business days of filing.
    • Investigative demands/depositions enforceable; protective orders available; failures to comply subject to court contempt.
  • Property divestiture and enforcement (R.S. 9:2717.1.4–2717.1.5, 2717.1.7):
    • Property acquired in violation may be divested by order; court-ordered divestiture procedures mirror standard civil processes.
    • Sale proceeds may be applied to owed taxes, liens, costs, and then civil asset forfeiture to the Department of Justice.
    • Forfeitures, dispositions, and protections for innocent parties must respect established rights.
  • Limitation of liability (R.S. 9:2717.1.6):
    • Attorneys, title insurers, lenders, real estate professionals, and related parties are not required to investigate or liable for failing to identify a foreign adversary or prohibited foreign actor.
  • Applicability (R.S. 9:2717.1.7):
    • Applies to immovable property acquired on or after August 1, 2026.
    • If a foreign adversary acquires property in violation, the property is forfeitable only during the period of ownership by the adversary.

Who is affected

  • Foreign adversaries and prohibited foreign actors attempting to acquire or owning land near Louisiana military installations.
  • Parties involved in transactions related to eligible land (sellers, buyers, lenders, title professionals) with note on limited liability for due-diligence among professionals.
  • Louisiana Attorney General and courts, which administer enforcement, penalties, injunctive relief, and divestiture procedures.
  • Innocent third parties with rights or liens in affected property, who are protected under specified provisions.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Effective date for applicability: August 1, 2026.
  • Divestiture and penalties include defined timelines (e.g., 90-day divestiture order in some contexts; 1-year window for divestiture post-judgment).
  • Notice requirements and lis pendens filings are integrated into mortgage records, with safeguards for existing rights and potential judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or a risk-impact brief for affected stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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