Senate Bill 2519 Summary

• Prohibits nonresident aliens from countries designated as foreign adversaries by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce from owning a majority interest in Mississippi agricultural or forestry land, with limited exceptions for inheritance, debt collection, and agricultural research on up to 500 acres.

• Requires nonresident aliens acquiring forest or agricultural land through debt collection or lien enforcement to dispose of the property within 2 years, and those acquiring through inheritance to dispose within 1 year, or face penalties.

• Establishes a tiered fine structure ranging from $100,000-$250,000 for first offenses up to $750,000-$5,000,000 for third and subsequent offenses, with civil forfeiture proceedings in Chancery Court after 30 days of non-payment.

• Assigns the Mississippi Secretary of State to oversee compliance and issue formal demands for violations, with authority to refer to the Attorney General for enforcement actions.

• Exempts attorneys, title insurers, lenders, real estate agents, and other transaction participants from liability for failing to identify foreign adversary parties to property transactions.