Foreign Land Ownership
Senate File 2204, signed into law in the ‘24 Legislative Session, builds upon Iowa’s long-standing leadership in foreign land ownership law. For decades, the state has had laws restricting foreign ownership to 320 acres or less, unless those groups owned farmland prior to 1980.
The expanded law heightens fines for entities which violate the reporting requirements. Previously a $2,000 maximum fine per violation, the new law fine will increase the fine to $10,000 per violation for foreign landowners who fail to report holdings every two years. For foreign entities which fail to register initial ownership, a fine up to 25% of the county average land value can be assessed—, a significant increase. A crucial change in aiding enforcement, the new law grants the state attorney general subpoena power to investigate potential violations.
This ownership transparency bill comes as there is increased scrutiny of Chinese investment in American farmland. Consistent with the state’s policy of increased oversight and reporting of foreign- owned agricultural land, ISA registered in favor of the Foreign Land Ownership bill.
Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program
The Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program (RFIP) assists fuel retailers who are seeking to install equipment to expand the sale of renewable fuels such as biodiesel. The program has been wildly successful since its creation in 2006. In fact, there have been so many applicants that the biodiesel program has had a backlog as more retailers seek to sell increased amounts of soy-based biodiesel.
To help clear the backlog of projects, the fund received $2 million dollars in bonus money. To help fund the growing pipeline of infrastructure, the biodiesel project funding cap was increased from $1.25 million to $1.75 million and the cap per project was increased from $50,000 to $75,000.
This was a joint priority of ISA and Iowa Biodiesel Board, as this successful program has long been oversubscribed.
Prohibiting the Misbranding of Certain Food Products
Senate File 2391 which aims to protect consumers and farmers by prohibiting the misbranding of certain animal products, was signed into law May of 2024. Since soybeans are often used as an ingredient in imitation animal proteins and even as a feedstock for cell-cultivated meat, it was important that this bill did not restrict access to those markets. ISA worked with the bill sponsors to ensure the bill’s labeling provisions were a clear win for our primary customer, livestock, while also ensuring market access for those that choose to consume soy directly. ISA registered in favor of this legislation, as it was consistent with several policy resolutions including accurate product labeling and access to soy-based foods.
Iowa Biofuel Access Bill
ISA, and the Iowa Biodiesel Board, alongside hundreds of farmers, Advocate members, and industry partners, successfully supported and helped deliver the governor-backed Iowa Biofuel Access Bill in 2022. The legislation builds upon the state’s existing and successful suite of tax credits encourages the sale of higher blends of biodiesel through an incentive-based approach. The bill also expands E15 access across the state and makes significant investments in cost-share opportunities for fuel retailers to upgrade biofuel infrastructure.
Conservation and Water Quality
On behalf of Iowa soybean farmers, ISA will continue serving as a consistent and reliable source of information, data and policy analysis for the governor’s office, IDALS and other principal agencies and organizations; working to secure long-term, dedicated conservation and water quality funding to protect natural resources and farmer livelihoods for generations to come.
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