American Land Protection and Reallocation Act
This plan provides a comprehensive, 40-point strategy to safeguard American land from acquisition by foreign nations, entities, or corporations, ensure national sovereignty over domestic land assets, and reallocate land ownership back to the states. Additionally, it includes rental legislation considerations for dual citizens and outlines a clear approach to protecting and preserving land for future generations.
Plan Outline
Section 1: Strengthening Ownership Restrictions on Foreign Entities (Points 1-10)
- Prohibit Foreign Ownership: Ban the purchase of agricultural and residential land by foreign governments, entities, and foreign-controlled corporations.
- Ownership Cap: Enforce strict limits on the total land a foreign individual or entity can own, if allowed, in any U.S. jurisdiction.
- Ban in Strategic Areas: Prohibit foreign ownership of land within 50 miles of military bases, critical infrastructure, and national parks.
- Annual Reporting Requirements: Mandate annual disclosures from foreign entities owning land in the U.S., detailing their intended land use and compliance with federal guidelines.
- Regular Ownership Audits: Conduct regular, publicly accessible audits of land held by foreign entities to ensure compliance with ownership laws.
- Retroactive Limitations: Review and limit existing foreign-owned lands, creating buyback options to transition these lands to state control or individual citizens.
- Incorporate Ownership Transparency Requirements: Demand full transparency of foreign entities’ ownership stakes, including subsidiaries, in any land transactions.
- Immediate Sale Requirement for Violations: Require foreign entities in violation of land ownership laws to divest ownership within 12 months.
- Public Land Registry: Establish a nationwide, public registry of all foreign-owned land in the U.S. to promote transparency.
- Cap on Foreign Corporate Leases: Limit lease lengths to 10 years on agricultural and residential land leased by foreign corporations.
Section 2: Reallocation of Foreign-Owned Lands to U.S. States (Points 11-20)
- Federal Buyback Fund: Create a federal buyback fund specifically aimed at purchasing land from foreign owners and reallocating it to states.
- State Acquisition Programs: Allocate funds to state governments to buy back land, prioritizing agricultural and residential areas.
- State Land Trusts: Transition reclaimed land into state-run trusts to prevent future speculative acquisition.
- Community Land Reinvestment: Reinvest funds from land sales into local economies and community-driven housing initiatives.
- Right of First Refusal for States: Give states the right to buy any foreign-held land before it is sold to private buyers.
- State-Focused Development Plans: Use reclaimed land to promote affordable housing, conservation, and local agriculture.
- Incentives for Private Citizens to Purchase Reallocated Land: Offer financial assistance and incentives to U.S. citizens to buy reallocated land for personal use.
- Priority for Family-Owned Farms: Reserve a portion of reallocated agricultural land for family-owned farms to prevent corporate monopolies.
- Urban Land Redevelopment Grants: Encourage states to use reclaimed urban land for local businesses, community centers, and public services.
- State Oversight Boards: Form boards in each state to manage reallocated land and establish best practices for fair land use.
Section 3: Dual-Citizenship Rental Legislation (Points 21-30)
- Dual-Citizenship Ownership Limits: Establish caps on the amount of rental property that dual citizens can own in the U.S., with priority given to U.S. citizens without dual citizenship.
- Disclosure Requirements for Dual-Citizenship Property Owners: Mandate disclosure of dual citizenship in rental and ownership applications.
- Ownership Transparency Audits: Implement annual audits on dual-citizenship ownership to prevent conflicts of interest.
- Public Reporting: Include rental property ownership by dual citizens in a publicly accessible database to ensure accountability.
- Limitations on Dual-Citizen Ownership Near Strategic Assets: Restrict dual-citizenship ownership near military and infrastructure sites, similar to foreign ownership.
- Priority Housing for U.S. Residents: Limit the percentage of rentals dual citizens can hold in high-demand housing areas.
- Residency Requirement for Ownership: Require dual-citizenship individuals who own rental properties to spend a certain percentage of time in the U.S.
- Rental Cap by Jurisdiction: Place jurisdictional limits on the number of rental units dual citizens can hold within a state or city.
- Local Housing Stabilization Programs: Use rental income from dual-citizenship properties to fund housing initiatives for low-income U.S. residents.
- Compliance Monitoring and Penalties: Introduce monitoring programs to enforce dual-citizen rental laws with penalties for non-compliance.
Section 4: Safeguards and Monitoring (Points 31-40)
- National Real Estate Registry: Establish a registry that includes foreign, dual-citizen, and corporate-owned land, accessible to the public for transparency.
- Enhanced Reporting Standards: Increase reporting standards for any corporate or foreign entity purchasing land, including their intended use and ties to any foreign governments.
- Periodic Compliance Audits: Mandate audits every five years to ensure compliance with foreign and corporate ownership restrictions.
- Independent Oversight Committee: Create a bipartisan committee to monitor land ownership compliance and review foreign acquisition of critical land areas.
- Penalties for Violation: Enforce strict penalties for corporations or individuals in violation of ownership laws, including mandatory sale and financial penalties.
- Anti-Speculation Measures: Place additional taxes on land held vacant by foreign or corporate owners for speculative purposes, encouraging productive use or divestment.
- Strengthen the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS): Enhance CFIUS’s role in evaluating land purchases that could impact national security, including agricultural and residential lands.
- Reporting Mechanisms for States: Require state governments to report annually on foreign land ownership trends and areas of concern.
- Reform Eminent Domain: Empower states to use eminent domain to reclaim foreign-owned land that poses a risk to national interests or local stability.
- Encourage Citizen Whistleblowers: Establish protections and incentives for whistleblowers who report illegal or suspicious foreign and corporate land acquisitions.
Implementation Timeline
- Phase 1 (0-6 Months): Pass initial legislation establishing land ownership restrictions, registry, and funding mechanisms for state buybacks.
- Phase 2 (6-18 Months): Initiate state-level buybacks, launch the National Real Estate Registry, and implement ownership audits.
- Phase 3 (18-36 Months): Complete initial buybacks, reallocate land through state housing and agricultural programs, and launch compliance monitoring.
- Phase 4 (36+ Months): Begin long-term management, maintain the public registry, and continue audits and reporting for sustained protection.
Expected Outcomes
- Enhanced National Security: With tighter controls on foreign ownership near strategic sites, this plan helps protect national interests.
- Increased Housing Affordability and Accessibility: Reallocating land to citizens and family-owned enterprises ensures that more land is available for housing, especially affordable options.
- Protection of Agricultural Sovereignty: By prioritizing local and family-owned farms, the plan helps secure the nation’s food supply and reduce foreign influence on agricultural practices.
- Improved Land Use Transparency: The public land registry and dual-citizen disclosure requirements ensure transparency, which promotes accountability and discourages speculative or non-productive land use.
- Greater State Autonomy: By reallocating land management and ownership to the states, the plan allows local governments to address the specific needs of their communities.
This American Land Protection and Reallocation Act aims to protect U.S. land from foreign influence, prioritize American ownership of single-family homes, and foster stronger local control of land assets. Through a comprehensive approach including public transparency, federal and state collaboration, and citizen prioritization, this plan ensures a stable, accessible land market that serves the interests of American families and communities.
Transparency Plan for Land Ownership, Government Actions, and Corporate Influence
This Transparency Plan establishes a structured framework to ensure openness in land ownership, government actions, and corporate influence, specifically geared toward improving public access to information and protecting American interests. This plan promotes responsible management of U.S. land assets, enhances accountability, and builds public trust in decision-making processes related to land ownership and development.
Transparency Plan Objectives
- Promote Open Access to Information: Ensure the public has comprehensive access to information regarding land ownership, government policies, and corporate activities that impact communities.
- Enhance Accountability and Public Trust: Increase transparency in decision-making processes to foster a government that is accountable to its citizens.
- Strengthen Oversight Mechanisms: Establish robust monitoring to prevent misuse of land, mitigate undue corporate influence, and protect against unauthorized foreign control.
Plan Outline
Section 1: Public Land Ownership Registry
- National Public Land Ownership Database: Create a publicly accessible online registry of all land owned by corporations, foreign entities, and government agencies.
- Annual Reporting on Land Holdings: Require all foreign and corporate owners to report their land holdings, detailing ownership structure, intended land use, and any changes in property status.
- Ownership Tracking and Updates: Ensure that property transactions are recorded in real-time, with regular updates to reflect ownership changes.
- Public Notification System: Implement an alert system to inform communities when nearby land is sold or transferred to a foreign or corporate entity.
- Transparency for Dual-Citizenship Owners: Mandate disclosure requirements for dual citizens who hold land or rental properties, listing these properties in the public registry.
Section 2: Government Transparency on Policy and Decision-Making
- Real-Time Access to Policy Changes: Make all government policies affecting land use, environmental regulations, and housing openly available on a dedicated online platform.
- Public Consultation Reports: Require public consultation on any major land ownership laws or regulations, with reports summarizing public feedback.
- Clear Disclosure of Government Contracts: Publish all government contracts with private companies for land management or development, with clear details of contract terms and financial arrangements.
- Open-Access Legislative Tracking: Provide a platform that allows citizens to track proposed legislation on land ownership and real estate, enabling real-time updates on bills, amendments, and voting results.
- Audit and Compliance Reports: Publish regular audit reports from government bodies overseeing land ownership compliance, detailing findings and actions taken on any violations.
Section 3: Corporate Transparency Requirements
- Mandatory Reporting of Corporate Land Acquisitions: Require corporations to disclose details of land purchases, including the purpose of acquisition, the corporate hierarchy, and ties to foreign entities if applicable.
- Public Disclosure of Corporate Use Plans: Require corporations to publicly disclose detailed plans for land use, particularly for residential, agricultural, and industrial land.
- Corporate Land Ownership Limits: Enforce transparency on corporate land holdings to ensure compliance with any legal restrictions on land quantity, especially in high-demand housing areas.
- Community Impact Statements: Require corporations acquiring land to submit community impact statements assessing how land use may affect local housing, environment, and economy.
- Transparent Leasing and Renting Practices: For corporate rental properties, mandate clear reporting of rental rates, occupancy rates, and lease terms to prevent exploitative pricing.
Section 4: Monitoring Foreign Influence and Ownership
- Foreign Entity Ownership Cap Transparency: Publish details of any cap restrictions on land ownership by foreign entities and a list of all entities holding land under such conditions.
- Disclosure of Foreign Investment Sources: Require foreign-owned corporations and investors to disclose funding sources and foreign government affiliations when acquiring U.S. land.
- Restricted Land Disclosure: Provide a public list of sensitive land areas (e.g., near military bases, national parks) with restrictions on foreign ownership.
- Public Access to CFIUS Findings: Make findings from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reviews available to the public for cases involving foreign land acquisitions.
- Establishment of a Foreign Ownership Oversight Board: Form an independent board to review and report on foreign land ownership trends and potential national security risks.
Section 5: Accountability for Government Officials and Public Servants
- Conflict of Interest Reporting: Require government officials involved in land policy to disclose any conflicts of interest related to land ownership.
- Publicly Accessible Voting Records: Make voting records for all elected officials on land and property legislation available to the public, with contextual information on the implications of each vote.
- Lobbying Disclosure Requirements: Mandate transparent reporting of all lobbying efforts by corporations and foreign entities aimed at influencing land ownership legislation.
- Enhanced Financial Disclosure for Officials: Enforce financial disclosure policies for public officials, including any land holdings, rental properties, or investments related to real estate.
- Accountability Audits for Decision-Makers: Perform independent audits of government decision-makers who enact or influence land ownership policies, with published findings.
Section 6: Community Engagement and Public Input
- Public Forums on Major Land Sales: Host community forums for discussion on any significant land sales or transfers, ensuring residents have input on decisions affecting their communities.
- Local Government Transparency Reports: Require local governments to publish quarterly reports on community land use decisions, including zoning changes, permits, and development approvals.
- Citizen Advisory Panels: Form citizen advisory panels to advise local and state governments on land policies, particularly in regions with high rates of corporate or foreign ownership.
- Public Input Periods for Key Transactions: Before any major land transactions are approved, mandate a public comment period to solicit community input.
- Educational Outreach Programs: Implement educational programs to help the public understand land ownership laws, citizen rights, and ways to participate in decision-making.
Section 7: Data Accessibility and Security
- Centralized Transparency Portal: Create a centralized online portal that consolidates all land ownership data, legislative actions, corporate disclosures, and government reports.
- User-Friendly Data Access Tools: Provide tools for citizens to search for and analyze data on land ownership trends, policy impacts, and corporate influence.
- Open Access to Historical Land Data: Make historical data on land ownership and past foreign or corporate transactions publicly available.
- Regular Data Privacy Audits: Perform regular audits to ensure the security and privacy of citizen data, particularly for individuals participating in public forums or advisory boards.
- Anonymous Reporting Channels: Provide secure, anonymous channels for whistleblowers to report concerns about land ownership violations or undisclosed foreign influence.
Section 8: Long-Term Monitoring and Evaluation
- Annual State of Land Report: Publish an annual “State of Land” report detailing trends, challenges, and progress on land transparency and accountability measures.
- Public Feedback Mechanism: Allow citizens to submit feedback on transparency initiatives, which will inform continuous improvements to transparency policies.
- Independent Transparency Oversight Committee: Establish a nonpartisan committee to oversee the implementation of transparency policies and issue recommendations.
- Biennial Reviews of Transparency Laws: Every two years, review and update transparency legislation to address new challenges and ensure relevance.
- Public Performance Metrics: Publish performance metrics for transparency initiatives to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Implementation Timeline
- Phase 1 (0-6 Months): Establish the public registry and reporting requirements for corporate, foreign, and dual-citizenship landholders.
- Phase 2 (6-12 Months): Launch the centralized transparency portal, implement reporting requirements, and initiate public forums.
- Phase 3 (12-24 Months): Roll out comprehensive audits, launch the Foreign Ownership Oversight Board, and release the first “State of Land” report.
- Phase 4 (24+ Months): Maintain and expand data access tools, conduct biennial legislative reviews, and continuously monitor transparency and accountability standards.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased Public Trust: By making land ownership data and government decisions transparent, this plan builds confidence in government actions.
- Empowered Communities: Public access to information and engagement in decision-making equips citizens to advocate for local interests.
- Informed Decision-Making: With clear, accessible information on land ownership and policy, both government and citizens can make more informed choices.
- Enhanced Accountability: Ongoing audits and transparency requirements discourage corruption and foreign influence, preserving American land for citizens.
- Preserved National Security: Transparent ownership policies help prevent foreign and corporate control over critical land areas, protecting strategic national interests.
This Transparency Plan sets forth robust mechanisms for tracking and disclosing land ownership and government actions to protect American land and foster a responsible, community-focused approach to property ownership in the United States.