Bill · S. 4391· Senate(119-S-4391)
Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/27/2026
- Last activity
- 4/27/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Cory Booker
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026" aims to prohibit unauthorized legal entities from acquiring or holding ownership interests in agricultural land. It establishes strict definitions for "authorized legal entities," requiring that they consist of no more than 25 owners who are all natural persons actively engaged in farming. The bill provides several exceptions, including for public institutions of higher education, certain nonprofits, and municipal corporations. To ensure compliance, the Act requires entities to submit sworn affidavits regarding their status. It also establishes rigorous enforcement mechanisms through the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would farmers be better off under this?+8
The bill is designed specifically to favor independent family farmers over large corporate entities.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+6
The bill directly supports independent family farmers by attempting to prevent them from being outbid by well-capitalized corporations.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
The bill seeks to protect the economic and social stability of rural communities by preserving local farming families.
The opposite· 3 of 6
Would billionaires be better off under this?-8
The act creates significant barriers for the large-scale corporate and pension fund structures often used by the ultra-wealthy.
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?-7
The bill specifically targets the large-scale investment strategies common among ultra-high-net-worth institutional entities.
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?-6
The bill limits the ability of large, highly capitalized entities to acquire significant land assets.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Family Farms: The bill seeks to foster and encourage the family farm system, which is described as essential to the social and economic wellbeing and national security of the United States (Section 2).
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Protection of Land as a Resource: By restricting corporate ownership, the bill addresses concerns that large investors focus on short-term profits rather than long-term land conservation (Section 2).
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Increased Accessibility for Independent Farmers: The Act aims to counter the advantage held by well-capitalized corporate interests that can outbid independent family farmers due to rising land prices (Section 2).
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Preservation of Local Communities: The findings suggest that limiting corporate expansion helps protect the well-being and security of residents in rural communities (Section 2).
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Protection of Generational Wealth: The bill recognizes agricultural land as a source of wealth, including generational wealth, for the people of the United States (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Compliance Burdens: Legal entities must sign and submit affidavits under penalty of perjury at the time of acquisition and again with their Federal tax returns (Section 5).
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Significant Financial Penalties: Violators may face civil penalties of up to two times the fair market value of the land in question (Section 6).
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Risk of Imprisonment: Natural persons who knowingly violate the Act as shareholders, partners, members, or beneficial owners could face up to five years in prison (Section 6).
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Forced Sale of Land: If a court finds a violation, an entity may be required to divest its interest within one year or face a public sale of the land (Section 6).
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State-Level Regulatory Burdens: States are authorized to create even more restrictive regulations, which could be more burdensome for owners residing outside of that specific state (Section 7).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+6Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth-1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+8Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Billionaires-8Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals-7Good For High Net Worth Individuals-6Good For High Income Households-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2Improves Affordable Housing-1
- 4/27/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont