SB 1109 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

designated countries; land ownership; prohibition

Arizona's SB 1109 prohibits foreign principals (including governments, businesses, or individuals from countries identified by U.S. intelligence as posing national security risks) from owning or acquiring most real property in Arizona. Exceptions allow small residential parcels (≤2 acres) for natural persons with valid U.S. visas, provided the property is not near military sites or critical infrastructure. The Attorney General enforces the law, and courts can order the sale of illegally held property, with proceeds distributed to lienholders, the state, and the original owner. The bill directly affects foreign entities from designated countries but exempts existing owners and specific residential purchases meeting strict conditions.

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Vetoed

Jun 2025

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Vetoed Jun 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 6 edits · May 28, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was revised to broaden the scope of land ownership restrictions beyond just the People's Republic of China to include other foreign principals from designated countries. The Senate version adds specific exemptions for small residential properties, individual foreign nationals with proper US visas, and allows continued ownership for those who already held property before the law takes effect.

Scope change

Expanded from targeting only the People's Republic of China to include any foreign principal from a designated country as defined by US intelligence assessments.

SCOPE

Changed the prohibited entity from only the People's Republic of China to any foreign principal from a designated country.

Broadened legislative findings to include threats from other adverse nations or entities, not just the Chinese Communist Party.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new exceptions allowing foreign principals to own small residential properties (2 acres or less) located far from military installations and critical infrastructure.

Added requirement that foreign principals must be natural persons with valid US visas or asylum documentation to qualify for exceptions.

DEFINITION

Added comprehensive definitions for 'designated country', 'foreign principal', 'critical infrastructure', and 'military installation'.

TIMELINE

Added provisions allowing foreign principals who owned property before the effective date to keep it, with restrictions on acquiring additional property.

Floor votes · House May 7, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 2, 2025

Vetoed

Vetoed by Governor

executive

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

May 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

May 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 12 co-sponsors