HB379 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Scott StadthagenRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to acquisition of title to real property; to prohibit certain governments or governmental entities from acquiring certain real property in the state.

Summary

HB379 prohibits certain foreign principals from acquiring title to Alabama real property, especially within 10 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure, and sets protections for title professionals.

What This Bill Does

The act defines key terms such as foreign country of concern (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia), foreign principal, critical infrastructure facility, agricultural and forest property, and real property. It prohibits any foreign principal from acquiring title to or a controlling interest in agricultural and forest property or real property located on or within 10 miles of a military installation or critical infrastructure facility. The restrictions apply to acquisitions made on or after the act’s effective date, with prior acquisitions governed by the law that existed before this act. It also states that title insurers, title agents, real estate licensees, and settlement providers are not liable for violations of these provisions.

Who It Affects

• Foreign principals (government, officials, political parties, or entities) from the designated foreign countries of concern (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia) who are barred from acquiring title to the specified Alabama properties.
• Alabama landowners, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals dealing with agricultural/forest property or property within 10 miles of a military installation or critical infrastructure facility, who would face restrictions on transferring such property to foreign principals and must comply with the new rules.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits foreign principals from acquiring title to or a controlling interest in agricultural and forest property or real property located on or within 10 miles of a military installation or critical infrastructure facility.
• Defines key terms: agricultural and forest property; real property; critical infrastructure facility; foreign country of concern (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia); foreign principal; military installation.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after enactment; acquisitions after that date are subject to the act; acquisitions before that date follow prior law.
• Title insurers, title agents, real estate licensees, and settlement providers are not liable for violations of these provisions.
• Taiwan is explicitly not included in the foreign country of concern list.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.