This bill amends existing law (RCW 64.16.005, also amending 2012 c 117 s 195) to add new restrictions on who may acquire interests in agricultural, forest, or mineral land. It preserves the existing rule that aliens generally may hold and convey land as citizens do, except for the new limitations described below. Beginning August 1, 2025, the bill prohibits nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and agents, trustees, or fiduciaries associated with the government of the People’s Republic of China from directly or indirectly acquiring any interest in agricultural, forest, or mineral land. It also prohibits any business entity from acquiring interests in land that a city or county has designated as agricultural, forest, or mineral land if more than 20% of each class of stock or more than 20% of the ultimate beneficial interest is held, directly or indirectly, by those China-associated parties. Exemptions include land acquired by devise, inheritance, as security for indebtedness, or by process of law in collection of debts or enforcement of liens; land acquired in collection of debts or by enforcement of liens must be disposed of within three years. Citizens or subjects of a foreign country whose landholding rights are secured by treaty are also exempt, and the prohibition does not apply to agricultural land associated with food processing facilities. The text provided does not define key terms used (for example, "nonresident alien," "foreign business," "associated with the government of the People’s Republic of China," the specific categories of land, or "food processing facilities"), nor does it explain how cities and counties must designate land, or set out enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or administrative procedures for compliance or review. The bill was prefiled 12/18/24, read first time 01/13/25, and referred to the Committee on Law & Justice.

If enacted, starting August 1, 2025 the law would bar nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and agents, trustees, or fiduciaries tied to the government of the People’s Republic of China from acquiring any interest in agricultural, forest, or mineral land, and it would also block purchase by business entities when more than 20% of their stock or ultimate beneficial interest is owned by those same China-associated parties for land that cities or counties designate. Land received by inheritance or foreclosure is allowed but a party that takes land through debt collection or lien enforcement must sell it within three years; land tied to food processing facilities and holdings protected by treaty are also excluded from the ban. Those most affected are foreign buyers, particularly Chinese-government-associated individuals and entities, U.S. businesses with significant ownership by those parties, and local governments that must decide which land is designated; these groups will face reduced options to buy or hold targeted land, potential pressure to divest certain foreclosed properties within three years, and likely changes to how transactions and ownership stakes are structured. Important details are missing from the text provided — key definitions (who counts as a nonresident alien, foreign business, or “associated with” the Chinese government), how cities and counties must designate land, and any enforcement or penalty rules — so the practical reach and how disputes or compliance will be handled remain unclear.