Suspicious Land Conveyance
Safeguarding Utah with Protective Intelligence
The Department of Public Safety is invested in protecting Utah from restricted foreign entities. During the 2024 legislative session, representatives passed HB516, which went into effect on May 1, 2024.
Restricted foreign entities may not acquire an interest in land in Utah according to Utah Code Section 63L-13-201, and HB516 expands the definition of restricted foreign entities in Utah Code Section 63L-13-101 to the following:
- Military-Linked Companies: a company that the United States Secretary of Defense is required to identify and report as a military company under Section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-283.
- Government-Controlled Entities: an entity that is owned or directly controlled by the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.
- Related Entities: Any affiliates, subsidiaries, or holding companies of military-linked or government-controlled entities.
- Government Departments: Agencies, bureaus, or municipalities of countries associated with these military or industrial bases.
- Majority Interests: Any entity where the above groups maintain at least a 51% ownership interest.
Report Suspicious Land Conveyance - County Recorders
DPS’s role is to publicly provide a list of restricted foreign entities, provide the ability of county recorders to report suspected land conveyance, and investigate the validity of the land conveyance. If the land conveyance violates law, DPS will give notice to the restricted foreign entity, which will require the entity to alienate interest in the land.
