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Bill

A 1191

Restricts all ownership of agricultural land in State by foreign governments and persons.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by John DiMaio and 3 co-sponsors

New Jersey bans foreign governments and foreign persons from owning agricultural land, with a five-year phase-out for existing holdings and mandatory easements ensuring continued f

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
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Bill Summary · A 1191

Summary of New Jersey Bill A-1191 (Session 222)

Purpose and Intent

A-1191 seeks to restrict ownership of agricultural land in New Jersey by foreign governments and foreign persons. The bill forbids acquiring or obtaining any legal, beneficial, or other interest in agricultural land by such entities effective on the bill’s date, with specific limited exceptions and a multi-year phase-out for existing foreign-owned land.

Key Provisions

  • Definitions (Section 1)

    • Agricultural land: land devoted to agricultural use.
    • Agricultural use: aligns with the definition in existing law (N.J.S.A. 4:1C-13).
    • Foreign government: any government other than the United States or its subdivisions; includes agents or fiduciaries acting for that government.
    • Foreign person: includes non-U.S. citizens (residents or nonresidents), and certain entities created under foreign government laws or majority-owned by foreign governments or persons; includes agents or fiduciaries acting for a foreign person.
    • Secretary: Secretary of Agriculture.

  • Prohibition and Phase-Out (Section 2)

    • General prohibition: No foreign government or foreign person may acquire any interest in New Jersey agricultural land on or after the act’s effective date.
    • Existing holdings (phase-out): Foreign governments/persons with pre-existing interests may continue to own them for up to five years, but may not acquire any additional agricultural land.
    • Required divestiture timeline: Those with pre-existing interests must sell or convey them within five years, with a deed of easement attached to ensure continued agricultural use.
    • Exceptions to prohibit: 1) Acquisition through debt collection processes, foreclosure, contract forfeiture, or liens—subject to sale within two years to a non-foreign entity with an easement. 2) Acquisition by devise/descents or bona fide encumbrances (security interests) are exempt from the prohibition.
    • Restrictions on transfers: A foreign owner may not transfer title to another foreign government or foreign person except by devise or descent.
    • Reversion rules: If land is transferred under the permitted exceptions, it must remain subject to an agricultural-use easement and be sold to a non-foreign entity.
    • Certain carve-outs: The act’s provisions do not apply if inconsistent with a treaty to which the U.S. is a party (treaty-respecting exception).

  • Reporting and Data (Section 3)

    • Timing: Initial report within 90 days of the act’s effective date, then annually.
    • Report content (four items): 1) Total acres of agricultural land owned by foreign governments or foreign persons. 2) Year-over-year percentage change in such ownership over the prior 10 years. 3) Top 10 nationalities of foreign owners by total acreage. 4) Purposes and trends in land use by foreign owners over the prior five years.
    • Data sources: Secretary may rely on USDA reports (7 U.S.C. s.3505) or other relevant information; coordination with State agencies and local entities to compile data.

  • Effective Date (Section 4)

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who and What Is Affected

  • Directly Affected: Foreign governments and foreign persons (as defined) who own or would own agricultural land in New Jersey.
  • Indirectly Affected: Landowners, buyers, and non-foreign entities who may acquire land from foreign owners; state agencies responsible for ag policy and data collection; local agricultural boards and committees.
  • Broader Impacts: Potential shifts in agricultural land ownership patterns, impact on land-use planning, and transparency concerns addressed via annual public reporting.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Immediate effect upon enactment.
  • For existing foreign-held land: up to five-year wind-down period with mandatory sale or conveyance to non-foreign entities and easement requirements.
  • For debt/foreclosure-related acquisitions: sale within two years of title transfer to a non-foreign entity with an agricultural-use easement.
  • Annual reporting starting within 90 days of enactment, continuing thereafter.

Sponsors: Dawn Fantasia (co-sponsor), Mike Inganamort (co-sponsor), John DiMaio (co-sponsor), Erik Peterson (co-sponsor). Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (as of 2026-01-13).

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

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