The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Gov. Reynolds introduces bill to strengthen rules against foreign ownership of Iowa farmland

Gov. Kim Reynolds also introduced legislation to require regular rules review, and prohibiting state funds from going to investment firms that consider social issues when investing.
Iowa+Gov.+Kim+Reynolds+speaks+during+Florida+Gov.+Ron+DeSantis+Caucus+Night+Watch+Party+at+the+Sheraton+in+West+Des+Moines+on+Monday%2C+Jan.+15%2C+2024.+Republican+voters+assembled+statewide+to+participate+in+the+caucuses+despite+the+cold+and+extreme+winter+weather+across+the+state.+Former+President+Donald+Trump+won+the+caucuses+in+a+dominant+and+early+fashion+with+51+percent+support+from+Republicans+while+DeSantis+trailed+in+second+with+21+percent+as+of+11%3A15+p.m.+Around+250+people+showed+up+to+listen+to+DeSantis.+%28Ayrton+Breckenridge%2FThe+Daily+Iowan%29
Ayrton Breckenridge
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Caucus Night Watch Party at the Sheraton in West Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Republican voters assembled statewide to participate in the caucuses despite the cold and extreme winter weather across the state. Former President Donald Trump won the caucuses in a dominant and early fashion with 51 percent support from Republicans while DeSantis trailed in second with 21 percent as of 11:15 p.m. Around 250 people showed up to listen to DeSantis. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds introduced three bills Wednesday aimed at banning foreign land ownership, requiring a review of all administrative rules every five years, and blocking public funds from going to companies with environmental, social, and governance policies.

The three bills were part of the governor’s gamut of legislative priorities, which she announced at her annual Condition of the State address on Jan. 9.

The bill aimed at foreign land ownership would enhance registration and reporting requirements with the Secretary of State’s office, and enhance penalties and enforcement through the Iowa Attorney General’s office.

“Iowa has been a leader with one of the toughest foreign land ownership laws in the country being enacted back in the seventies,” Reynolds said in a news release Wednesday. “Allowing foreign adversaries to undermine the agricultural dominance of our farmers only makes America weaker. American farmland should remain in American hands.”

Foreign ownership of farmland, specifically by Chinese-owned businesses, has been a conservative target for state and federal lawmakers.

Reynolds also introduced a bill to “cut the red tape” by requiring the sunset of all chapters of the Iowa administrative code every five years unless they are regularly reviewed for their necessity and effectiveness. The bill would also require a cost-benefit analysis before a rule is enacted.

She also introduced a bill to prohibit the state from contracting with a public investment firm that considers social issues in its investments.

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About the Contributors
Liam Halawith
Liam Halawith, Politics Editor
he/him/his
Liam Halawith is a third-year student at the University of Iowa studying Journalism and Mass Communication and minoring in Public Policy. Before his role as Politics Editor Liam was a politics reporter for the DI. Outside of the DI Liam has interned at the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Southeast Iowa Union. This is his second year working for the DI.
Ayrton Breckenridge
Ayrton Breckenridge, Managing Visuals Editor
(he/him/his)
Ayrton Breckenridge is the Managing Visuals Editor at The Daily Iowan. He is a senior at the University of Iowa majoring in journalism and cinema. This is his fourth year working for the DI.