Senate Approves Border-Strip Land Bill, Sending Amended Text Back to the Chamber

Overview

• Senators passed PL 4.497/2024 to regulate regularization of state transfers in border areas, with the amended text returning to the Chamber after government- and PT-led opposition.
• The bill immediately ratifies registrations of rural properties sold or granted by states on Union lands up to October 23, 2015 and allows applicants to present the CCIR as evidence when seeking ratification.
• Owners have up to 15 years to request ratification at registries, the Union has five years to challenge in court, and INCRA has five years after ratification to assess fulfillment of the land’s social function.
• Properties larger than 2,500 hectares require congressional approval within two years, with automatic validation if lawmakers do not act in that period.
• The text makes georeferencing mandatory, though reports differ on scope and timing, with one citing December 31, 2028 for all transfers and another applying the 2029 requirement first to holdings above four fiscal modules.