HB4454, the “Saving Our Invaluable Land Act of 2025” or “SOIL Act of 2025,” would amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 to restrict certain foreign countries from purchasing, leasing, or receiving concessions for property near sensitive sites in the United States. The bill defines covered foreign countries as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, as well as entities controlled by or acting on behalf of those governments.
The prohibition would apply to property within 10 miles of a sensitive site. Sensitive sites include ports, U.S. military installations, and other federal facilities or properties deemed sensitive for national security reasons, as well as locations that could enable intelligence collection or foreign surveillance of military or sensitive government activities. The bill also requires the relevant committee to promptly notify Congress if it identifies a violation or attempted violation.
If enacted, the bill would add a new national-security restriction to section 721 of the Defense Production Act and would apply prospectively to purchases, leases, and concessions made on or after enactment. It would affect foreign-state-linked buyers and lessors, real estate transactions near ports and military or other sensitive federal facilities, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)-related review framework referenced in the Defense Production Act.
The available legislative record shows no committee transcript, vote, or recorded floor debate, so there is no direct evidence of formal support or opposition in the materials provided. Based on the bill’s sponsors and subject matter, the measure appears to be framed as a national-security and anti-surveillance proposal, with likely support from members concerned about foreign adversary access to strategic land and infrastructure. Potential criticism would likely focus on the breadth of the 10-mile restriction, the inclusion of broad categories of sensitive sites, and the possibility of limiting ordinary real-estate activity by foreign persons or entities tied to the listed countries.
The bill would amend section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 to create a new federal prohibition on certain foreign countries and their controlled entities acquiring interests in property within 10 miles of designated sensitive sites. It would expand the national-security review and enforcement framework by adding a categorical land-use restriction and a congressional notification requirement for violations or attempted violations. The practical effect would be to limit real-estate transactions involving covered foreign countries near ports, military installations, and other sensitive federal properties.
No committee transcripts or votes are provided, so there is no recorded debate to measure directly. The bill’s introduction by multiple Republican sponsors suggests a generally security-focused and likely supportive posture among its backers, emphasizing protection of critical infrastructure and military sites from foreign influence or surveillance. The absence of recorded opposition in the materials means any concerns are inferred rather than documented, but the policy is likely to draw scrutiny over its scope and implementation.
The main likely point of contention is the breadth of the restriction: it bars covered foreign countries from purchasing or leasing property within 10 miles of a sensitive site, which could be seen as sweeping and potentially affecting ordinary commercial transactions. Another issue is the bill’s reliance on committee-defined categories of “sensitive site” and national-security sensitivity, which could create uncertainty about what properties are covered. Supporters are likely to argue the measure is necessary to prevent espionage, surveillance, and strategic land acquisition by foreign adversaries, while critics may argue it is overinclusive or difficult to administer.