Farm holdings

AN ACT Relating to farm holdings; and amending RCW 64.16.005.1
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:2
Sec. 1. RCW 64.16.005 and 2012 c 117 s 195 are each amended to 3
read as follows: 4
((Any)) (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, 5
any alien may acquire and hold lands, or any right thereto, or 6
interest therein, by purchase, devise, or descent; and he or she may 7
convey, mortgage, and devise the same, and if he or she shall die 8
intestate, the same shall descend to his or her heirs, and in all 9
cases such lands shall be held, conveyed, mortgaged, or devised, or 10
shall descend in like manner and with like effect as if such alien 11
were a native citizen of this state or of the United States.12
(2)(a) On or after August 1, 2025, nonresident aliens, or their 13
agents, trustees, or fiduciaries are prohibited from directly 14
acquiring any interest in agricultural, forest, or mineral land 15
unless the original country of citizenship allows citizens of the 16
United States to own agricultural real property. This section does 17
not apply to United States citizens who simultaneously maintain 18
citizenship in a foreign country.19
(b) The restrictions on alien land ownership contained in (a) of 20
this subsection do not apply to:21
S-0802.1
SENATE BILL 5472
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Wagoner and Warnick
Read first time 01/23/25. Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
p. 1 SB 5472
(i) Land that may be acquired by devise, inheritance, as security 1
for indebtedness, by process of law in collection of debts, or by any 2
procedure for the enforcement of a lien or claim thereon, whether 3
created by mortgage or otherwise. Land acquired in the collection of 4
debts or by the enforcement of a lien or claim must be disposed of 5
within three years of acquiring ownership; or6
(ii) Citizens or subjects of a foreign country whose rights to 7
hold land are secured by treaty or citizens or subjects of a foreign 8
country that allows citizens of the United States to own land within 9
its borders.10
(c) This prohibition does not apply to agricultural land 11
associated with food processing facilities.12
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p. 2 SB 5472