HB 708 -- OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND

Under current law, nonresident aliens and foreign businesses are
prohibited from owning agricultural land unless the land was
owned when the prohibition was passed in 1978.  This bill allows
ownership of the land by direct descendants of nonresident
aliens who owned the land when the prohibition was passed.  In
addition, the bill allows ownership of the land by any trust for
the benefit of the nonresident alien or a direct descendant and
by any legal entity controlled by the nonresident alien, the
nonresident alien's direct descendants, or the foreign business.

The bill repeals the exemption of McDonald and Newton counties
from the prohibition of ownership of agricultural land by
nonresident aliens or foreign businesses.

HB 708 -- OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND (Merideth)

Currently, aliens and foreign businesses are not allowed to
acquire agricultural land in Missouri.  Aliens or foreign
businesses owning agricultural land prior to enactment of the
ownership prohibition are exempted.  This bill expands the
exemption to include direct descendants of exempted aliens and
direct descendants of foreign business owners.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 708 -- OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND

CO-SPONSORS:  Merideth, Williams (159)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Agri-Business by a vote of 17 to 0.

Currently, aliens and foreign businesses are not allowed to
acquire agricultural land in Missouri.  Aliens or foreign
businesses owning agricultural land prior to enactment of the
ownership prohibition are exempted.  This bill expands the
exemption to include direct descendants of exempted aliens and
direct descendants of foreign business owners.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that in 1978 there was public
concern about foreign entities purchasing Missouri farmland.  As
a result SB 685 was passed restricting non-resident aliens from
purchasing Missouri agricultural land.  Individuals already
owning such land were exempted from the provisions of the bill
but no provision was made for their ability to pass on their
land to their heirs. This bill permits the transfer of farmland
to direct descendants of non-resident aliens.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Merideth.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

HB 708 -- Ownership of Agricultural Land

Co-Sponsors:  Merideth, Williams (159)

Currently, aliens and foreign businesses are not allowed to
acquire agricultural land in Missouri.  Aliens or foreign
businesses owning agricultural land prior to enactment of the
ownership prohibition are exempted.  This bill expands the
exemption to include direct descendants of exempted aliens and
direct descendants of foreign business owners.