2026 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

26108809D

SENATE BILL NO. 464

FLOOR AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by Delegate Kent

on March 2, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Stuart)

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55.1-507 of the Code of Virginia, relating to interest in agricultural land; foreign adversaries.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 55.1-507 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 55.1-507. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Agricultural land" means real estate in the Commonwealth used or zoned in a manner that would permit the use of the real estate for an agricultural operation.

"Agricultural operation" means any operation devoted to the bona fide production of crops, animals, or fowl, including the production of fruits and vegetables of any kind; meat, dairy, and poultry products; nuts, tobacco, nursery, and floral products; and the production and harvest of products from silvicultural activity.

"Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"Foreign adversary" means (i) any foreign government or nongovernment person determined by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons, as set forth in 15 C.F.R. § 7.4 or such successor regulation, declaration, or statute as may exist from time to time or (ii) any business entity that is controlled by a foreign government or nongovernment person determined by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons, as set forth in 15 C.F.R. § 7.4 or such successor regulation, declaration, or statute as may exist from time to time.

"Interest in agricultural land" means any right, title, or interest, direct or indirect, in and to (i) agricultural land or (ii) any entity or other organization that holds any right, title, or interest, direct or indirect, in and to agricultural land. For purposes of this definition, any interest that taken on its own or together with any other interest held in common or under common control does not give the holder of the interest the ability to possess or occupy the agricultural land in any manner or the power or authority to direct the conduct of the agricultural operation being conducted on the agricultural land, shall not be deemed an "interest in agricultural land" for purposes of this chapter. "Interest in agricultural land" includes any controlling lease, long-term land use agreement, mineral rights, or water rights.